tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30539494502305539802017-09-07T21:11:33.634-04:00Salt and LightLessons from the God's WordJonathan Brinsonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-50674717003039368142017-08-27T22:52:00.000-04:002017-08-27T22:52:49.103-04:00John 3:36<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpmNS-Qh5gQ/WPIzQzGHsVI/AAAAAAAAJQs/pZVzi2sNcAI9X-z7lEfwdszJEmMCfJSlACEw/s1600/17457526_1407124199361264_2572080219299793625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpmNS-Qh5gQ/WPIzQzGHsVI/AAAAAAAAJQs/pZVzi2sNcAI9X-z7lEfwdszJEmMCfJSlACEw/s640/17457526_1407124199361264_2572080219299793625_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-9073328763974569022017-08-27T22:39:00.001-04:002017-08-28T06:26:43.304-04:00“Woe to You!”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4-Jx7xZkiA/WaOB5iKpIxI/AAAAAAAAOi4/FESeUlATE_kPR8tAWMhcURm_UhSd4ia2ACLcBGAs/s1600/woe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="967" height="370" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4-Jx7xZkiA/WaOB5iKpIxI/AAAAAAAAOi4/FESeUlATE_kPR8tAWMhcURm_UhSd4ia2ACLcBGAs/s640/woe.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>It's interesting to consider the way that the very first and last lessons&nbsp;&nbsp;Jesus taught during His earthly ministry bookend each other...<br><br>Recall that Jesus began his earthly ministry with "Sermon on the Mount" in <b>Matthew 5</b>. &nbsp;In particular, the "Beatitudes" were a message of hope to the hopeless, directed toward the poor in spirit, the heartbroken; this was a series of blessings for those that hungered and thirsted for righteousness. &nbsp;Certainly it is a great comfort to read through this chapter even today! &nbsp;As one not at home in this world, Jesus promises a bright future of hope!<br><br>Unfortunately, there are some who have attempted to soften Jesus’ image. &nbsp;They may say that the Son of God only preached compassion and that His words were always uplifting and encouraging. &nbsp;They try to paint Jesus as a preacher who avoided topics such as condemnation and Hell.<br><br>What a shock and discomfort <b>Matthew 23</b> must be for these individuals! &nbsp;In His last public address Jesus concentrated solely on the religious class of the day. &nbsp;Here He doesn’t hold back his disdain for the conduct and character of the Scribes and Pharisees. &nbsp;Therefore, this chapter is sometimes accompanied with the subtitle “the Seven Woes”. <br><br>To those who believe that the Bible describes two different Gods – that the God of the Old Testament was cruel and judgmental, while the God of New Testament is gracious and kind – <b>Matthew 23</b> stands as a reminder that God is the same throughout the Bible. &nbsp;Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees is just as fierce of a rebuke as anything we can read coming from any of the Old Testament prophets. &nbsp;We must remember that God is consistent and the same through all of time, and this includes the Old and New Testaments.<br><br>More importantly, we need to pay close attention to why Jesus was so stern in His rebuke of the Scribes and Pharisees. &nbsp;After all, these were religious men who were “<i><span style="color: orange;">confident of their own righteousness</span></i>” (<b>Luke 18:9</b>). <br><br>As a people aspiring toward righteousness today, we must be careful to avoid the pitfalls of these clearly un-righteous men! &nbsp;Do these woes apply to us today?<br><br><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><br></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Woe to You for Shutting the Kingdom</u></div></u></h3><b><br></b><b>Matthew 23:13-15 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. &nbsp;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.</span></i><br><br>The scribes and Pharisees were diligent in their observation of the Law. &nbsp;They regularly attended synagogue, tithed, prayed, and even preached. &nbsp;They were held in high regard within the Jewish community. &nbsp;They even acted as evangelists, seeking to convert those around them.<br><br>However, the Pharisees weren’t usually looking for those who didn’t know God at all.<br>&nbsp;Instead, they looked for people to convert to their own particular “brand” of religion. &nbsp;Many of them had their own ideas on traditions and theories for their respective sect and sought to exclude all others. &nbsp;Even worse, the corrupt teachings of the Pharisees bred a legion of "converted" false teachers who would perpetuate lies, thereby spreading condemnation.<br><br><br><b>Matthew 15:3, 7-9 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? &nbsp;You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’</span></i><br><br>Are we guilty of the same? &nbsp;Have we set up a system of rules where the message is “do everything our way or else”? &nbsp;Are we some kind of denomination of the church described in the Bible? &nbsp;Have we created our own traditions that we’ve tried make necessary to in order enter Heaven? &nbsp;Do we attempt to impose a dress code for attending worship? &nbsp;Do we put a heavy emphasis on church attendance? &nbsp;Do we attempt to make a sin out of things the Bible doesn't list as such, like smoking, tattoos, etc?<br><br>I certainly hope that we are seeking to be a part of the one church that Jesus came to establish. &nbsp;I hope that we only preach God’s Word, nothing more and nothing less.<br><br><b>Acts 20:27</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">…For I did not shrink from declaring to you the <u>whole</u> counsel of God.</span></i><br><br><br><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Woe to You for Being Deceitful&nbsp;</u></b></h3><br><b>Matthew 23:16-22 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? &nbsp;And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ &nbsp;You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. &nbsp;And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.</span></i><br><br>Here Jesus criticized a religious ritual that the Pharisees had created around making oaths.<br><br>The Pharisees were seeking loopholes when it came to oaths taking a “collateral” approach. &nbsp;The whole system went something like this: &nbsp;If you swore by the Temple, that wasn’t a binding oath because you don’t own the Temple. &nbsp;But, if you swore by the “gold in the Temple” that was a binding oath, because some of that gold might have been yours. &nbsp;However, if you swore by the altar, you could lie all you wanted. &nbsp;BUT… &nbsp;If you swore by the sacrifice on the altar, you’d better be telling the truth!!! &nbsp; What a crooked and convoluted scheme! &nbsp;Basically, the Pharisees were looking for ways to be underhandedly dishonest!<br><br>Concerning oaths, we know that Jesus had elsewhere strictly warned against the practice. &nbsp;He said that a simple “yes” or “no” should be enough and that any oath beyond that was of “the evil one”. &nbsp;God certainly wouldn’t approve of His children being untruthful or looking for loopholes.<br><br><b>Zechariah 8:17</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">…Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.</span></i><br><br><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Woe to You for Neglecting the Heart of the Law</u></div></h3><br><b>Matthew 23:23-24 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. &nbsp;You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!</span></i><br><br>Next, Jesus attacked the Pharisees’ methods of tithing. &nbsp;During their time, tithing was the form of contribution by which the Temple was kept, how religious feasts and festivals were funded, and funded the needs of the poor. &nbsp;The Pharisees were incredibly meticulous in their tithing, to the point of ridiculousness. &nbsp;Everything had to be exact… &nbsp;Everything. <br><br>Recall that the tithe was a contribution by which you gave 10% of what you earned or prospered. &nbsp;The Pharisees took this to a scrupulous extreme in which even their spices measured to exactly ten percent! &nbsp;Elsewhere, we read that the Pharisees criticized Jesus for not washing His hands (<b>Luke 11:37</b>) and His disciples for “working on the Sabbath” by simple collecting grains to eat as they walked through a field (<b>Luke 6:1-5</b>). &nbsp;The Pharisees were the epitome of legalism. &nbsp;According to their inflexible brand of religion, every law, even the most minute had to be followed exactly!<br><br>Jesus pointed out that the Pharisees worried so much about these minor issues that they missed the whole point of the law completely! &nbsp;As Jesus said, they “<i><span style="color: orange;">strained out a gnat to swallow a camel</span></i>” (<b>Matthew 23:24</b>)! &nbsp;The Pharisees focused so much on minor matters such as how to tithe that they overlooked the major matters that God truly cares about. <br><br>What truly concerns God is the attitudes within our hearts. &nbsp;Are we merciful? &nbsp;Are we forgiving? &nbsp;A legalistic attitude doesn’t leave much room for these traits. &nbsp;A heart with a true passion for Christ can’t help but show compassion for people. <br><br>The Pharisees were shown time and again to be very petty. We probably know our fair share of petty individuals... &nbsp;Petty people are constantly on the lookout for something to be angry or offended about. &nbsp;They get their feelings hurt constantly over imagined slights like something as minor as receiving a wrong look or someone failing to say “hi”. &nbsp;These folks are often so unhappy because they're looking for someone or something to complain about! <br><br>Are we as legalistic as the Pharisees? &nbsp;Do we focus more on “churchy” rules and procedures than we do the people of God’s Kingdom themselves? &nbsp;Do we practice pettiness over true piety? <br><br>Hopefully this is not the case. &nbsp;While we should be concerned with following God’s Word, I hope that we don’t lose focus on purpose behind His laws. &nbsp;I hope that we love people over procedures and that our time and effort are focused on the weightier matters of Scripture such as justice and mercy. &nbsp;I hope that we seek opportunities to serve others.<br><br>“<i>Love is the identifying mark of Christianity. &nbsp;I a world of hate, envy, and anger, love sticks out like a healthy thumb. &nbsp;When anyone walks away from an encounter with us, that person should remember our love, not our convictions.</i>” – Rodney Pickett<br><b><br></b><b>John 13:34-35</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.</span></i><br><br><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Woe to You for Hypocrisy</u></div></h3><b><br></b><b>Matthew 23:25-28 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. &nbsp;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.</span></i><br><br>Jesus used the term “hypocrites!” throughout this passage, but here really drives the point home.<br>The word “hypocrite” is actually a Greek term that refers to actors in the theater. &nbsp;As we know, actors are only playing a role when they are onstage. &nbsp;Offstage, they are completely different in speech and conduct!<br><br>Jesus further made his point with two illustrations. &nbsp;He first compared the Pharisees to dirty dishes. &nbsp;Can you imagine drinking and eating from dinnerware that was clean on the outside, but dirty on the inside? &nbsp;What a disgusting prospect! &nbsp;Jesus said that the Pharisees were full of greed and self-indulgence. &nbsp;We know from other scriptures that the Pharisees certainly were greedy as we are told that they “devoured widows’ houses” (Luke 20:47), perhaps appealing to the generosity of the lonely and swindling them of their savings. &nbsp;Likewise we know that the Pharisees were self-indulgent, as they enjoyed a position of respect and privilege (Luke 20:46) all while they pretended to be pious.<br><br>Along the same lines, Jesus compared the Pharisees to whitewashed tombs. &nbsp;No matter how beautiful or tidy a mausoleum appears on the outside, these structures are monuments to the death and decay they hold within. &nbsp;The Pharisees merely made a show of being righteous and therefore Jesus essentially says that they were dead and unclean on the inside. <br><br>We know that God is concerned not with outward appearances, but rather the content of our hearts. &nbsp;He looks at us from the inside out. &nbsp;He knows us through and through. &nbsp;He knows our motives and intentions whether they be good or ill.<br><br><b>1 Samuel 16:7</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">… For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.</span></i><br><i><span style="color: orange;"><br></span></i>Are we – like the Pharisees – concerned with appearances only? &nbsp;Are we righteous on the outside only? Are we seeking the approval of men or God?<br><b><br></b><b>Matthew 6:1, 5 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven… &nbsp;And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.</span></i><br><br>I hope that we are not focused on shallow, short-term rewards like impressing those around us, but that we are sincere in our works and worship. &nbsp;I hope that we are focused on truly serving the Lord, in word in thought and in deed, outward and inward. &nbsp;I hope that we are focused on the ultimate reward…<br><b><br></b><b>Proverbs 11:8 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.</span></i><br><br><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><br></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Conclusion: &nbsp;“How will You Escape?”</u></div></u></h3><br>Jesus concluded his sermon with a very pointed statement: &nbsp;“<span style="color: orange;"><i>Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?</i></span>” &nbsp;<b>Matthew 23:33</b><br><br>Notice that Jesus spoke with compassion to the worst of sinners, but he ripped right into the religious hypocrites! &nbsp;This calls for us all to examine ourselves!<br><br><u>Are <i>we</i> shutting the Kingdom</u>? &nbsp;Do we seek to impose additional rules to enter Heaven? &nbsp;Or do we preach only from God’s Word?<br><br><u>Are <i>we</i> deceitful</u>? &nbsp;Do we look for loopholes? &nbsp;Or do we seek to obey God with sincerity?<br><br><u>Do <i>we </i>neglect the heart of the Gospel</u>? &nbsp;Are we focused on minor rule-keeping? &nbsp;Or are we more concerned with the mercy, compassion and justice that God truly cares about?<br><br><u>Are <i>we</i> guilty of hypocrisy</u>? &nbsp;Do we make a show of being righteous? &nbsp;Or do we truly desire to please God?<br><br>Looking back at Jesus’ first public lesson, Jesus warned against becoming like the Pharisees…<br><br><b>Matthew 5:20 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.</span></i><br><br>So how do we attain a righteousness beyond that of the Pharisees? <br><br>The Bible tells us that the righteousness of God comes through Christ alone!<br><br><b>Romans 3:21-22</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.</span></i><br><br>We allow Christ to become our righteousness through living by faith and allowing Him to reign over our heart!<br><b><br></b><b>Galatians 2:20</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.</span></i><br><div><br></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-65803004481658151852017-08-20T22:08:00.000-04:002017-08-20T22:08:46.412-04:00John 14:23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HG7YzF-Q5RQ/WPIzP0qr7zI/AAAAAAAAJQs/WTkEHWW_sdUncJ8y1kpdED_m0rObskJcgCEw/s1600/17155650_1380510832022601_582791164357603939_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HG7YzF-Q5RQ/WPIzP0qr7zI/AAAAAAAAJQs/WTkEHWW_sdUncJ8y1kpdED_m0rObskJcgCEw/s640/17155650_1380510832022601_582791164357603939_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-48617108611543310262017-08-20T22:03:00.001-04:002017-08-21T09:28:52.722-04:00Commitment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAWljRsJMec/WZo_U4VITWI/AAAAAAAAOg4/QTFxwV3ZGaw65VbX6t2VmMojI-dP_3qZACLcBGAs/s1600/commitment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="891" height="486" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAWljRsJMec/WZo_U4VITWI/AAAAAAAAOg4/QTFxwV3ZGaw65VbX6t2VmMojI-dP_3qZACLcBGAs/s640/commitment.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />My wife and I will have been married 6 years in October. &nbsp;In that time we’ve had two houses, one dog, a little girl, and countless adventures.<br /><br />Like any couple, we’ve had our own challenges that we’ve faced together. &nbsp;But if I could do it all over again, I would gladly say those vows once more!<br /><br />When I first presented this lesson Brandie and I had just gotten married. &nbsp;I wrote in the introduction to that original draft that the responsibilities of the big commitment hadn’t fully sunk in yet, but that I was praying I would be able to do my best to uphold the weight of those vows I swore to uphold to both Brandie and our God.<br /><br />Of course, to many people marriage is a commitment that is just too big to take on and they’ll actively flee it or – if they even got married to begin with – they may dismiss their spouse at the first sign of trouble… &nbsp;As students of the Bible we of course know that marriage is meant to be a life-long commitment.<br /><br /><b>Mark 10:6-9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ &nbsp;‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”&nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />However, unfortunately, people don’t seem to care much about commitment in today’s world. &nbsp;Whether it’s in business deals, marriages or simply promises made to friends, “commitment” is a word that’s sadly become empty and devoid of its meaning.<br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Earthly Commitments and Spiritual Commitments</u></div></u></h3><br />But whether we take them seriously or not, we make commitments on almost a daily basis. &nbsp;We pledge to repay loans, make payments with credit cards, and make promises without even thinking about it at times.<br /><br />However, Jesus urges us to not make promises or pledges to others. <br /><br /><b>Matthew 5:33-37</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.</span></i><br /><br />If we make a promise that we can’t keep, we have made ourselves into liars! &nbsp;As Jesus said, we should let our “Yes” be “Yes” and our “No” be “No.” &nbsp;But if we do make pledges, oaths, or other Earthly commitments we are obligated to uphold them! &nbsp;Likewise, if we make a spiritual commitment, we are obliged to uphold it!<br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Christian Commitments</u></div></u></h3><br />Becoming a Christian is a spiritual commitment. &nbsp;When we became Christians, we committed our lives to Christ! In doing so, we committed ourselves to a life in service to God. &nbsp;Surely, this is a commitment we can't afford to take lightly!<br /><br /><b>Ephesians 4:1-3</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to <u>walk worthy of the calling</u> with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…</span></i><br /><br />Like most commitments, there are a lot of duties that go accompany the original pledge. &nbsp;I would like to discuss just a few of the obligations that accompany a Christian’s commitment to Christ.<br /><br /><br />•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b><u>Obligations to the Church and Fellow Christians</u></b><br /><br />As Christians we should be encouraging and uplifting to our brothers and sisters in the faith.<br /><br /><b>Colossians 3:15-16</b><i><span style="color: orange;"> And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.</span></i><br /><br />One of the most discouraging things to a Christian is for them to see other Christians not coming to church on a regular basis. &nbsp;Therefore regular church attendance is not only for worshipping God, but also for edification of our fellow saints.<br /><br /><b>Hebrews 10:24-25</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. &nbsp;</span></i><br /><br /><br /><b>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Obligations to the Poor</u></b><br /><br />We have an obligation to be charitable, in particular to needy saints, but also to any we may encounter who need help.<br /><br /><b>1 Timothy 6:18-19 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.</span></i><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Obligations to Unbelievers</u></b><br /><u><br /></u>We should be a good example and share the Gospel with others.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 5:13-16 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><b>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Obligations to Family</u></b><br /><br />The Bible teaches that everyone in the family unit has special role to fulfill.<br /><br /><b>Colossians 3:18-20</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. &nbsp;Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. &nbsp;Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />Mutual love and respect are the foundation of a family’s commitment to each other.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Ephesians 5:25-29 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><b><br /></b></span></i><br /><b>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Above All: Obligations to God!!!</u></b><br /><br />Of course, above all, Christians have the biggest obligation to God. &nbsp;The great thing about our commitment to Christ is that all of those other obligations just seem to fall in place if we have an enduring love for God and a fervent desire to obey His will.<br /><br /><b>Romans 12:1-2 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. &nbsp;And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.</span></i><br /><br />Just as Paul pointed out in Romans, as followers of Christ we are to present ourselves as living sacrifices.<br /><br />Think about what that means. &nbsp;We should be dead to the world and living for God, giving Him our all.<br /><br />However, when we commit, we give everything! &nbsp;Christians are committed to God Himself and He, above all other, above everything else, deserves all that we have! &nbsp;We need to remember that and keep our priorities straight in this life if we want to be true servants of God.<br /><br /><b>Colossians 3:17</b><i><span style="color: orange;"> And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Are we Lukewarm?</u></h3><br />In the book of Revelation we can read of seven different churches, representing nearly every type of congregation one could expect to encounter. One church in particular we would not want to emulate…<br /><br /><b>Revelation 3:15-16 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />Are we serving Christ with all of our effort? &nbsp;Or are we only partially committed. &nbsp;A true Christian should be “on fire” for Christ.<br /><br />Convenient is not an adjective one would use to describe commitment. &nbsp;Of course, keeping any kind of earthly commitment is no easy task. &nbsp;Spirtual commitments are no different. &nbsp; Think of all the faithful followers of God in the Bible. &nbsp;Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus Himself! &nbsp;Their commitment to God led them down some rocky paths!<br /><br />It’s easy to recognize that true commitment requires sacrifice. &nbsp;Christ, of course, is the ultimate example of this truth.<br /><br /><b>Romans 5:8</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">“<u>Vows Made in Storms</u>”</h3><br />While Brandie and I were on our honeymoon, I remember reading a sign at one of the restaurants we visited which read:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;&nbsp;“Vows made in storms are forgotten in calm waters.”</i></div><br />Let’s examine the truth in this saying for a while.<br /><br />We’ve all heard stories of unbelievers who encountered some kind of hardship in life. &nbsp;Whether it be a serious illness or financial ruin, the desperate unbeliever may pray to God, “God, if you’ll just get me through this, I swear that I will change my life and live for you.” <br /><br />Sometimes it works out that they end out coming out of the dire situation just fine and maybe, for a while, it seems the unbeliever really did turn their life around for God. &nbsp;But eventually, once the tribulation is forgotten, they go right back to the life they were living before. &nbsp;The vow they made in the storm was forgotten in the calm waters.<br /><br />I think the opposite can be true also: <i>Vows made in calm waters can be forgotten in storms</i>. <br /><br />It’s really easy to be a Christian when everything is right with the world. &nbsp;But the moment that things get hard whether it be poor health or persecution of some form or whatever, when things get hard, people will unfortunately forfeit their commitment to God.<br /><br />Let’s strive to remember God always, whether it is in calm or stormy waters.<br /><br />After all, God is committed to us; shouldn’t we be committed to Him?<br /><br /><b>Hebrews 10:23 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /><div><br /></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-41222166329954364712017-08-20T21:46:00.000-04:002017-08-20T21:46:14.613-04:00Matthew 24:35<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpPoGHCUlXw/WPIzPsEvOyI/AAAAAAAAJQs/MUfgyyb9hH4lpdzohjx-OpYMYMsR4SbowCEw/s1600/17022476_1381912821882402_7746217391992241032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpPoGHCUlXw/WPIzPsEvOyI/AAAAAAAAJQs/MUfgyyb9hH4lpdzohjx-OpYMYMsR4SbowCEw/s640/17022476_1381912821882402_7746217391992241032_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-14966188169825021332017-08-20T21:37:00.002-04:002017-08-20T21:38:47.118-04:00When Darkness Veils <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wW5zHmZh53Q/WZo5HMJL0hI/AAAAAAAAOgg/5ijzpuY9mMoDPxaCoru3_XV-vmaNrJ6vQCLcBGAs/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1046" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wW5zHmZh53Q/WZo5HMJL0hI/AAAAAAAAOgg/5ijzpuY9mMoDPxaCoru3_XV-vmaNrJ6vQCLcBGAs/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Joel 2:31</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.</span></i><br /><br />Tomorrow the United States will experience its first total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years. <br /><br />During this rare astronomical event, the Moon will be positioned between the Earth and Sun. &nbsp;A total solar eclipse is only visible within a limited area, one has to be at the right location at the right time to view the phenomenon. &nbsp;On Monday, the 10,000 mile long, 100 mile wide shadow of the Moon will travel over a narrow path stretching across the continent, all the way from Oregon to South Carolina.<br /><br />As the Moon passes in front of the Sun spectators can expect a 360 degree “sunrise”, a nearly &nbsp;10 degree drop in temperature, and the arousal of nocturnal creatures such as crickets confused by the occurrence, responding to what they perceive as night. <br /><br />In ancient cultures, the eclipse was viewed as an omen of terrible things to come and the period of darkness was met with a sense of dread. &nbsp;Indeed, even today there are some proclaiming that the upcoming eclipse is some kind of sign of impending doom for our nation.<br /><br />However, as eerie and ominous as the spectacle of the eclipse promises to be, we can rest assured that at the end of it all the Sun’s light will inevitably make its return, shining just as bright and glorious as ever.<br /><br />Likewise, we would do well to remember that our almighty God cannot be conquered!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">The Darkness of Golgotha</h3><b><br /></b><b>Luke 23:44-45 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed…</span></i><br /><br />Literally and metaphorically, one of the darkest days in the history of the world took place during Christ’s crucifixion. &nbsp;The darkness that lasted three hours on that terrible day has no natural explanation. <br /><br />The sky went black at what should have been the brightest time of day (the “sixth hour” being noon). &nbsp;Examining the historical information, we know that this could not have been a solar eclipse. &nbsp;Recall that, according to Hebrew tradition, the Feast of Passover occurred at the time of the full moon. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Science teaches us that solar eclipses only occur during the new moon phase, when the Moon is positioned completely on the other side of the planet. <br /><br />Certainly this was some kind of supernatural occurrence, as if creation itself mourned the injustice of Jesus’ anguish on the cross.<br /><br />Whatever the explanation, we read that it was black as midnight at midday when the Son of God died a torturous, humiliating death; rejected by the very people he had come to save. <br /><br />Surely the Devil must have delighted in the gloom, thinking this to be his crowning achievement… Of course, in just three days’ time the "prince of darkness" would be sorely disappointed to find that what he assumed was his moment of definitive victory would turn out to be his resounding defeat.<br /><br /><b>Job 5:12-14</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. &nbsp;He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. &nbsp;They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night.</span></i><br /><br />Is it coincidental that this verse in Job describes the exact atmospheric conditions on the day of Christ’s death? &nbsp;Perhaps not…<br /><br />One of the most poignant themes of the Bible is that we’re reminded time and again that God has the ability to turn even the worst situations to His will. &nbsp;That darkest of days on Golgotha was going to reveal the glory of God in a way never before witnessed.<br /><br />Under God’s control, this ultimate act of evil would accomplish His ultimate outpouring of love. &nbsp;As wicked as man’s hearts and as devious as Satan’s plans were, the glory of Christ could not be extinguished. &nbsp;The darkness would be overcome with light.<br /><br />We know that Jesus’ death on the cross was not the end. &nbsp;He arose. &nbsp;Christ was resurrected. &nbsp;Putting an end to the final enemy – &nbsp;death itself – Jesus denied Satan his triumph. <br /><br /><b>Hebrews 2:14</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil…</span></i><br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 15:55-57 </b>&nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>“O death, where is your victory? &nbsp;O death, where is your sting?” &nbsp;The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. &nbsp;But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.</i></span><br /><br />Through the giving of His precious blood in this ultimate sacrifice, we no longer have to fear death. &nbsp;Christ provided a means of redemption and forgiveness for all who seek it. &nbsp;No longer would mankind be doomed to eternal separation from God, for in Christ humanity would have glorious hope of being reunited with their Creator in Heaven!<br /><b><br /></b><b>Colossians 2:13-15</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">God’s Power and Promises</h3><br />Indeed, the cross stands as the ultimate example of these timeless truths: &nbsp;Attempting to overthrow God is futile and God keeps His Word.<br /><br />No enemy can stand against God. &nbsp;No threat can defeat Him. &nbsp;As the Creator of all, there is no power beyond Him.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Job 26:5-14 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants. &nbsp;Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering. &nbsp; He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. &nbsp;He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them. &nbsp;He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it his cloud. &nbsp;He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness. &nbsp;The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke. By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab. By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. &nbsp;Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! &nbsp;But the thunder of his power who can understand?</span></i><br /><br />Throughout history, God’s power is demonstrated time and again. &nbsp;Think back to the many military victories of the ancient Israelites against overwhelming odds. &nbsp;Consider the endurance of the Bible and the resilience of the church through the ages, despite the world’s attempt to snuff out Christianity even to this day. <br /><br />Likewise, we know that the almighty God keeps His promises. &nbsp;Though it may be on His timeline and not our own, our longsuffering God makes good on His word.<br /><br /><b>2 Peter 3:8-9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you…</span></i><br /><br />We read that many of the disciples fled when Jesus was arrested. &nbsp;Only but a few lingered during His crucifixion. &nbsp;An even smaller number would visit His tomb expecting Him to return as He said He would. &nbsp;During the darkness that covered the land at the time of Christ’s death, His followers must have felt a deep sense of despair. &nbsp;Perhaps they worried that with Jesus dead, His promises died with Him. &nbsp;And yet we see throughout the Bible that sometimes God would take entire generations to fulfill His promises. <br /><br />The promise of Jesus’s coming extends back as far as <b>Genesis 12</b> when God made His three covenants with Abraham. &nbsp;God told Abraham that through him “<i><span style="color: orange;">all the families of the Earth shall be blessed.</span></i>” (<b>Genesis 12:2-3</b>). &nbsp;While Abraham would not see God’s final promise fulfilled within his lifetime. &nbsp;Indeed it would be nearly 2000 years from the time God made the initial promise to Abraham until Jesus was finally born. &nbsp;Christ’s disciples only had to wait three days for Jesus to return to life!<br /><br /><b>Deuteronomy 7:9 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations…</span></i><br /><br />Therefore, we must always remember that even when circumstances are at their most dire and the world is at its darkest, there is always hope if we have God. <br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>The Light of Living Hope</b></h3><br />Peter reminds us that no matter what darkness we face, we need not lose hope in God.<br /><br /><b>1 Peter 1:3-6 </b><i>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials…</i><br /><br />He called the hope in Christ a “living hope”. &nbsp; Consider that this phrase is different from our normal use of the word. &nbsp;We typically think of hope as being a desire for something in the future, something we are uncertain that we will attain. <br /><br />However, we know the power of our God. &nbsp;We know that He keeps His promises. &nbsp;Therefore, the kind of hope we read of in the New Testament is a far deeper, more confident hope. <br /><b><br /></b><b>Hebrews 6:11</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end…</span></i><br /><br />Certainly, this hope is put to the test at dark times. &nbsp;It’s always disturbing to consider that we as Christians will face persecution for doing what is right. &nbsp;But God promises that our suffering is temporary and that He will be with us through it all.<br /><br /><b>Romans 8:28, 31-39</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose… &nbsp;What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? &nbsp;He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></i><br /><br />Yes, the Bible tells us that ultimate victory will belong to God and those who trust in Him.<br /><br /><b>Psalm 27:1</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? &nbsp;The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">"Let Your Light So Shine"</h3><br />As we have seen, God’s light cannot be eclipsed. &nbsp;In fact, recall that very first act of creation was God bringing forth light…<br /><br /><b>Genesis 1:3</b> &nbsp;<i>And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.</i><br /><br />God’s been at the business of defeating darkness pretty much the whole time!<br /><br />He loves us so much that He was willing to come in the flesh and be sacrificed in our place. &nbsp;The darkness witnessed on the day that Jesus was crucified was only temporary. &nbsp;God was able to transform something truly awful into the most awesome blessing we could hope to receive: &nbsp;redemption. <br /><br />We read of His power and longsuffering promises. &nbsp;Trusting God and having hope in Him, we need not fear even the darkest of days. &nbsp;As long as we have the light of the Lord in our hearts, He will be with us. <br /><br />But let’s not be selfish with that light. <br /><br /><b>Matthew 5:14-16</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.</span></i><br /><br />One need only watch the nightly news to recognize that our world is engulfed in darkness. &nbsp;Humanity desperately needs the light that only hope in Christ can bring, so let’s be sure to share it with the world around us! &nbsp;Don’t let your light be eclipsed!<br /><br /><div><br /></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-8139693071044769862017-07-07T19:00:00.000-04:002017-07-07T19:00:09.306-04:00Matthew 20:28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CXGgaDKD84/WPIzRxsBQkI/AAAAAAAAJQs/jf0UVxmnFsg9d50pPqucGjh0RDzKf0ROgCEw/s1600/17862353_1428048797268804_1707124247959325726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CXGgaDKD84/WPIzRxsBQkI/AAAAAAAAJQs/jf0UVxmnFsg9d50pPqucGjh0RDzKf0ROgCEw/s640/17862353_1428048797268804_1707124247959325726_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-86124285582454105262017-07-03T23:15:00.000-04:002017-07-03T23:22:44.629-04:00The Importance of Context<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuGRjq9rxa8/WVsIF7NvogI/AAAAAAAAMyI/xMfThEGuohULyTo0K73Xr4FmnV1ZQ8vGwCLcBGAs/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1051" height="476" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuGRjq9rxa8/WVsIF7NvogI/AAAAAAAAMyI/xMfThEGuohULyTo0K73Xr4FmnV1ZQ8vGwCLcBGAs/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Matthew 4:9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">“…All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>This was a verse that was actually printed on one of those "daily inspiration" calendars.<br /><br />At first glance, this verse sounds pretty inspiring, but there’s just one problem… &nbsp;Do you know what it is?<br /><br />Yup. &nbsp;These words seem pretty uplifting and comforting until you realize that it was Satan who was speaking! &nbsp;This knowledge makes that particular verse a little less inspiring doesn’t it?<br /><br />Thus, we see that there is a danger in taking even just a single Bible verse out of context.<br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth</u></div></u></h3><b><br /></b><b>2 Timothy 2:15</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.</span></i><br /><br />The Apostle Paul admonishes us to handle God’s Word in the correct way. <br /><br />Many, it seems, when they study the Bible look at it in such a way that every Bible verse is independent of the rest of the text. &nbsp;They may even attempt to interpret a single verse on its own, without any kind of reference to what came before or after. &nbsp;While many of our Bibles are indeed subdivided into books, chapters, and verses, we understand that single verses are part of a greater whole. <br /><br />It’s been said that people can use the Bible “to prove just about anything”. &nbsp;With an irreverent, scattershot approach that certainly can be the case!<br /><br />For example: &nbsp; Jesus said, “<i><span style="color: orange;">You are My friends if you do whatever I command you</span></i>” in <b>John 15:14</b>. Jesus told Judas, “<i><span style="color: orange;">What you do, do quickly</span></i>” in <b>John 13:27</b>. Judas, we are told, “<i><span style="color: orange;">departed, and went and hanged himself</span></i>” in <b>Matthew 27:5</b>. Finally, Jesus said, “<i><span style="color: orange;">Go and do likewise</span></i>” in <b>Luke 10:37</b>. By selectively using quotes, we arrive at a conclusion that we know is incorrect – that Jesus wants followers to commit suicide.*<br /><br />In a more serious and tragic real-world example we know that in our nation’s own history that the Bible was used in such a way by some to attempt to justify slavery. &nbsp;While it is true that slavery is mentioned in the Bible, the New Testament did not teach Christians to enslave one another (In fact, in Philemon, Paul wrote with the intention of freeing the runaway slave Onesimus). <br /><br />How many souls have been misled due to taking verses out of context, whether intentionally or otherwise? &nbsp;How many false doctrines have been founded based upon twisting God’s Word to say something actually contrary to God’s will? &nbsp;We see that not taking context into consideration could lead to serious consequences. <br /><b><br /></b><b>2 Peter 3:15-16 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">...And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, <u>which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures</u>.</span></i><br /><br />Therefore, as good students of God’s Word we need to consider each of the following in regards to context: &nbsp;What is the immediate context? &nbsp;Who is speaking? &nbsp;Who is being spoken to? &nbsp;Is it found in the Old or New Testament? &nbsp;What is the historical, geographical, and cultural context?<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Immediate Context</u></h3><br />If you are having difficulty understanding a particular passage, the solution may be as simple as reading a bit backwards or forwards in the text.<br /><br />A good clue that further reading might be required is found in looking at the grammar. &nbsp;Sometimes a verse cuts off the ending of a thought short, perhaps ending in a comma rather than a period. &nbsp;Obviously, this means you need to read a bit further to get the complete statement.<br /><br />Likewise, look to see if a verse you’re reading begins with a transition word such as therefore, however, then, thus, moreover, nevertheless, so, etc. &nbsp;If this is the case, then you probably need to read a verse or two before. &nbsp;These parts of speech connect ideas in phrases and they don’t usually occur unless they are referring to a previous idea. &nbsp;In other words, as an old saying goes: &nbsp;“When you come to a ‘therefore’, you should check to see what it is THERE FOR!”<br /><br />Let’s return to a verse we purposefully used out of context earlier: &nbsp;In <b>Luke 10:37</b>, Jesus can be quoted saying, “<i><span style="color: orange;">Go and do likewise.</span></i>” <br /><br />Go and do what???<br /><br />The usage of the word “likewise” implies that Jesus is referring to something he had said earlier. &nbsp;If you go back far enough in this chapter, you see that Jesus was having a conversation with a “certain lawyer” who was questioning Him (<b>Luke 10:25-29</b>). &nbsp;Reading further, we see that Jesus answers the man’s questions by telling him the parable of the Good Samaritan (<b>Luke 10:30-36</b>), essentially teaching that we should treat all with mercy and love. &nbsp;So at the conclusion of this conversation, Jesus told the lawyer that he should “go and do likewise” – meaning that he should follow the example of the Good Samaritan in the parable.<br /><br />As you can see, when we’re examining smaller passages, we must be aware of their place within context of the larger paragraph, chapter, or even the entire book!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Who Said It?</u></h3><br />Some people think that you can just take any scripture from the Bible and safely assume that it is God speaking. &nbsp;Indeed, the Word of God is inspired by God, but consider the fact that not everyone who speaks in the Bible is an inspired writer!<br /><br />I’ll never forget the sermon in which our longtime preacher, John Baxter, made a very provocative statement attention: &nbsp;“Not everything in the Bible is true.” &nbsp;The tense uneasiness in the congregation was almost audible as his words hung in the air for just a moment – surely meant for emphasis – that felt like an awkward eternity. &nbsp;One might think that this was a sacrilegious declaration, but as he would go on to point out, sometimes within the context of a passage we find that the person speaking is unreliable. <br /><br />As we saw earlier in <b>Matthew 4</b>, it could very well be the devil speaking within in the context of a passage!<br /><br />In <b>Matthew 12:24</b> the Pharisees said that Jesus was aligned with Satan. &nbsp;But we know that the Pharisees were unreliable because they often plotted against Jesus and sought to “<i><span style="color: orange;">entangle Him in His talk.</span></i>” (<b>Matthew 22:15</b>)<br /><br /><b>Colossians 2:21</b> tells us, “<i><span style="color: orange;">Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle…</span></i>”, but we see that this was Paul quoting rules of men in this passage, comparing them to the grace of Christ’s law.<br /><br />Job’s wife famously said, “<i><span style="color: orange;">Curse God and die</span></i>” in <b>Job 2:9 </b>- clearly this is not godly advice!<br /><br />Compare these examples to a verse like <b>John 14:6</b> in which Jesus says, “<i><span style="color: orange;">I am the way, the truth, and the life. &nbsp;No one comes to the Father except through Me.</span></i>” &nbsp; We know that we can trust these words since they came from the Son of God Himself!<br /><br />We can also trust the words of the Apostles, knowing that these were men who were appointed by Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit. &nbsp;Thorough study reveals that their teachings align with the rest of Scripture.<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 14:37</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.</span></i><br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>To Whom Was It Said?</u></div></u></h3><br />Likewise, it is important to notice to whom a statement was made in Scripture. &nbsp;Who was the intended audience?<br /><br />In <b>Genesis 6</b> we see God giving the instructions for the building of the Ark. &nbsp;Who were these instructions given to? &nbsp;Noah, of course! &nbsp;Obviously, God does not expect us to build an Ark today. &nbsp;These directions were intended for Noah alone as we can easily discern based on the context.<br /><br />Applying this same logic, we can easily differentiate between statements meant for a particular individual, a specific group or for everyone for all of time.<br /><br />Studying the context, we know that <b>John 14:25-26</b> was directed at the Apostles specifically to prepare them for the forthcoming Day of Pentecost (<b>Acts 1-2</b>). <br /><br />These are very specific, time-bound circumstances Jesus was relating to those directly present. &nbsp;Thus, we see that not every passage is meant for Christians today.<br /><br />However, we know that <b>John 3:16 </b>– “<i><span style="color: orange;">For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life</span></i>” – is meant to be a broad statement directed toward all of mankind henceforth. &nbsp;We all have the chance at salvation through Christ’s love for mankind. <br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Old or New Testament?</u></h3><br />Along these same lines, it’s also imperative to consider which part of the Bible you are reading from. &nbsp;The Bible is divided into two Testaments (Laws or Covenants), the Old Testament and the New Testament. &nbsp;It is only through a thorough study of the Bible as a whole that one can clearly see that teachings of each Testament are meant for completely different groups of believers of completely different times. <br /><br />A mature student of the Bible understands that today we are under the New Testament, not the Old Testament. &nbsp;In fact, two entire books of the Bible – Romans and Galatians – were written by Paul to address the fact that salvation from sin is through the Gospel of Christ, not through the Law of Moses.<br /><br /><b>Galatians 2:21</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.</span></i><br /><br />We are taught that the Old Testament came to an end as Christ died on the cross, ushering in the New Testament in its place.<br /><br /><b>Hebrews 9:15-16 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.</span></i><br /><br />The transition between the Old Testament to the New Testament can be very confusing for unstudied believers and unbelievers alike, leading to some unfortunate misunderstandings.<br /><br />Christians should know that the Old Testament laws – including those pertaining to worship – were done completely away with. &nbsp;Therefore we cannot use the passages out of context from the Old Testament to justify the continued practice of outdated worship such as observance of the Sabbath or circumcision. &nbsp;In fact, we are explicitly warned that we can no longer follow any part of the Old Testament that has been put away. <br /><br /><b>Galatians 5:3-4 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.</span></i><br /><br />On the other hand, a favorite ploy of those seeking to make believers out to be hypocrites is to point out that they don’t follow the “whole” Bible. &nbsp;They might say, “You don’t believe in gay marriage because of Leviticus? &nbsp;Well, I bet you ignore the part where it commands to not eat shellfish!”<br />Such a statement reveals a lack of understanding regarding the continuation of certain aspects of God’s Law throughout the Bible. &nbsp;Diligent students of the Scriptures understand that some laws are consistent throughout the entirety of God’s Word, extending onward even into the present New Testament age. &nbsp;Various forms of sexual immorality – including homosexuality – are forbade by God in both the Old and New Testaments. &nbsp;These have always been wrong in the eyes of God… along with various other sins that no reasonable person would ever debate such as lying, idol worship, murder, etc. <br /><br />Meanwhile - as we have already established - the majority of laws found the Old Testament are not upheld by Christians because they were repealed in the New Testament. &nbsp;For example, <b>Acts 10:9-16</b> does away with dietary restrictions, while <b>1 Timothy 4:1-5</b> also speaks against such. &nbsp;Likewise there are social laws pertaining to crime and punishment, warfare, slavery, circumcision, animal sacrifice, feast days, ritual cleanness, etc. observed by the Israelites that Christians are under no obligation to uphold under the New Testament. <br /><br />It is Christ and His New Covenant that, thank God, we are under today. <br /><br />Hebrews 1:1-2 &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, &nbsp;has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Historical, Geographical, and Cultural Context</u></h3><br />In many ways, the Bible is an historical book. &nbsp;Despite what skeptics may suggest, the events contained within the Bible took place within the real world. &nbsp;In fact, archaeologists have been known to use the Bible’s geographical descriptions to find various ruins – which serve to further the Bible’s credibility as an historical text. <br /><br />Within the pages of the Bible we read of descriptions of life in ancient Egypt, Babylon, and the Roman Empire. &nbsp;Notable historical figures such as Pharaohs, ancient kings, and government officials are mentioned within the text, sometimes even interacting within Biblical characters directly.<br />Therefore, it would certainly be beneficial to learn about the history, culture, and even geography of events in the Bible. <br /><br />Examining a map of the region allows one to gain an appreciation for the journeys of the Israelites as they wandered the wilderness, Jesus’ earthly ministry through ancient Israel, and Paul’s missionary journeys around the Mediterranean.<br /><br />Similarly, gaining an understanding of the culture of the times provides perspective of the times and helps one to gain new insights into Biblical truths. <br /><br />In regards to cultural context, a good example is Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan in <b>Luke 10:25-37</b>. &nbsp;To fully appreciate the impact of this parable it helps to know just who the Samaritans were. <br /><br />During Jesus’ time the Samaritans had complicated relationship with the Jews that extended back to Old Testament times (Samaritans are mentioned as far back in the Bible as <b>1 Kings</b>). &nbsp;Apparently the Samaritans would associate themselves with the Jews when convenient, taking advantage of their common heritage and worshiping God. &nbsp;However, the Samaritans had a reputation of abandoning the Jews when they were being persecuted or conquered, reverting back to idol worship. &nbsp;Thus, the Samaritans were considered social outcasts at best, hated enemies of the Jews at worst. &nbsp;The Samaritans were considered a “mixed race” and subject to much racist and nationalistic ridicule by the Jews. &nbsp;This knowledge makes one realize how shocking Jesus’ parable must have been to the original audience; He made a “no good” Samaritan the hero of His story!<br /><br />Obviously, some of this may require additional study in supplementary resources such as a Bible dictionary or atlas. <br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Conclusion</u></h3><br />When you set out to read any secular book, you don’t just flip to the middle, read a single sentence, and then turn to some other random section and do the same. &nbsp;Yet how many Bible studies must look like this to an outsider? <br /><br />If all of our Bible study consists of selective quotes then we’re definitely going to miss out on the author’s intended purpose and probably misinterpret what was meant to be said!<br /><br />Of course, the best way to study the Bible in context is to read it as it was meant to be read… &nbsp;As a whole.<br /><br /><b>Acts 20:27</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.</span></i><br /><br />Starting with Genesis and concluding with Revelation, reading the Bible from cover-to-cover as an ongoing narrative reveals the cohesive, epic story of God’s love for mankind, humanity’s ongoing rejection of God, and God’s longsuffering, ultimate plan for the redemption of the human race through His Son, Jesus Christ.<br /><br /><br />* Excerpt from : “<a href="http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVstudies/Keys/Context.htm" target="_blank">Keeping the Context</a>”<br /><div><br /></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-44100728854705459082017-04-23T22:10:00.000-04:002017-04-23T22:10:47.382-04:00Psalm 145:18-19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdjYyyOJ-is/WPIzSs3F2yI/AAAAAAAAJQo/mmVUUbB9gSMp3Z_Nh_er1OJA2qH_sQviwCLcB/s1600/540246_1417286215011729_7152176433255746908_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BdjYyyOJ-is/WPIzSs3F2yI/AAAAAAAAJQo/mmVUUbB9gSMp3Z_Nh_er1OJA2qH_sQviwCLcB/s640/540246_1417286215011729_7152176433255746908_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-14738955825712570652017-04-23T20:42:00.003-04:002017-05-27T22:38:25.095-04:00Dead to Sin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jH_arXJ3j2c/WP1Ce3sWeaI/AAAAAAAAJzI/Xe6Y-gOsCvw76yJsd8jltQ4VF3kCI4aMgCLcB/s1600/Dead%2Bto%2BSin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jH_arXJ3j2c/WP1Ce3sWeaI/AAAAAAAAJzI/Xe6Y-gOsCvw76yJsd8jltQ4VF3kCI4aMgCLcB/s640/Dead%2Bto%2BSin.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />In <b>Ephesians 2:1-3</b> Paul spoke of the lost as being “<i><span style="color: orange;">dead in sin</span></i>”. &nbsp;We understand that one is dead in sin when they willfully choose to embrace the lusts of the flesh. &nbsp;Through their disobedience they are doomed to a bleak fate with the way of sin only leading to destruction (<b>Matthew 7:13</b>).<br /><br />Even though we deserve punishment for our former life, God is loving and merciful. &nbsp;It is by His grace He allowed us a means of escape from condemnation. &nbsp;Through the sacrifice of Christ, God forgives our sin, thereby making us “alive” so that we may stand before Him redeemed!<br /><br /><b>Ephesians 2:4-7</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.</span></i><br /><br />In a turn of that phrase – “dead in sin” – Paul also spoke of the concept of one being “dead to sin”… &nbsp;This particular phrase refers to one who has accepted Christ as their Savior!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Dead <i>in</i> Sin versus Dead <i>to</i> Sin</u></b></h3></div><br /><b>Romans 6:11</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be <u>dead indeed to sin</u>, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></i><br /><br />One word makes a big difference! &nbsp;Being “dead <i>in </i>sin” is very different from being “dead <i>to</i> sin”. &nbsp;As we have seen, being “dead <i>in</i> sin” is a hopeless situation in which the unrepentant are condemned in their sins, eternally separated from God. &nbsp;Meanwhile, being “dead <i>to</i> sin” offers us redemption, a path to eternal life through God’s grace.<br /><br />So how do we go from being “dead in sin” to being “dead to sin”?<br /><br />In <b>Romans 6</b> Paul related the act of baptism - the avenue by which God provides the remission of sins - to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.<br /><br /><b>Romans 6:3-7 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore <u>we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life</u>. &nbsp;For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, <u>certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with</u>, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />As we will see through this lesson, God desires us to be “dead to sin” so that we will have freedom from sin and be once more “alive” in His eyes. &nbsp;We will find that being dead to sin requires some effort on our part, but that, ultimately, it is being dead to sin that offers us hope for the future.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Freedom from Sin</u></b></h3></div><br />When one is dead to sin, they are no longer controlled by sin.<br /><br /><b>Romans 6:6 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.</span></i><br /><br />To the unbelieving of the world, sin might be frowned upon at best, and it is very unpopular to condemn sin outright. In our society especially morals seem to be subjective. &nbsp;We know all too well that some sins are celebrated as a sort of freedom. <br /><br />But to one who has committed their life to Christ, sin is recognized for what it truly is: &nbsp;Tyranny. When were in sin, we were enslaved by our own desires.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Romans 6:7</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For he who has died has been freed from sin.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Through God’s grace manifested by Christ’s sacrifice, we are granted freedom from our sin.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>A New Creation with a New Purpose</u></b></h3></div><br />Upon rising up from the waters of baptism, a Christian has been cleansed of their former sin. &nbsp;We stand before God renewed… &nbsp;A new creation with a new purpose!<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 5:17-18 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation…</span></i><br /><br />Some on the verge of accepting Christ find themselves discouraged at the prospect of giving up sin. &nbsp;This is a spiritually shortsighted attitude! &nbsp;It’s important to realize that God offers us something so much better than the temporary pleasures of sin. &nbsp;Not only are we putting away our former desires but we are allowing God to replace them. &nbsp;Through Christ’s redeeming power we are made new once more!<br /><br /><b>Romans 12:1-2</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. &nbsp;And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.</span></i><br /><br />The phrase “living sacrifices” would seem at first glance to be a paradox; After all, sacrifices do not live, they die. <br /><br />But this is a great analogy for the kind of life a Christian should strive toward. &nbsp;Our devotion to Christ should be so deep that we readily put away our own desires. &nbsp;A dramatic metamorphosis should occur. &nbsp;In becoming Christians we should no longer desire to please ourselves, but God!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Colossians 3:1-4</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. &nbsp;Set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth. &nbsp;For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. &nbsp;When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him glory.</span></i></div><br />Our mindset should change completely and we should live a life that emulates the life of Christ.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Galatians 2:20</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Avoiding Sin</u></b></h3></div><br />Aspiring to be Christ-like requires great commitment on our part. &nbsp;As we have read, we ought to set our mind on the pursuit of righteousness, doing the will of God. &nbsp;Accordingly, we should actively be avoiding sin!<br /><br />Understand that a new Christian will still face temptation, it’s not like being cleansed from your former sin makes one immune to future temptation. &nbsp;Being imperfect, we will still be tempted. &nbsp;We will stumble in our Christian walk. &nbsp;We will – unfortunately – sin. <br /><br />(We shouldn’t be discouraged by this as God lets us know that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able to withstand - <b>1 Corinthians 10:13</b>)<br /><br />But as a new creation set upon a new purpose, we will grow in strength as we develop as Christians. &nbsp;We will dwell upon godly principles (<b>Psalm 1:1-3</b>, <b>Philippians 4:8</b>) and thereby completely change the way we think about the world, the way we approach certain situations. &nbsp;Our attitude will attune to God’s will. &nbsp;We will find certain temptations easier and easier to overcome until they are no longer enticing to us at all. &nbsp;With time we will develop a distaste and intolerance for sinful behavior (<b>2 Timothy 2:22</b>).<br /><br />However, we cannot allow this newfound confidence to become self-righteousness. &nbsp;And we certainly cannot allow ourselves to take God’s forgiveness for granted, especially not to the point that we misuse it as a license to sin! <br /><b><br /></b><b>Romans 6:1-2</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?</span></i><br /><br />In this passage Paul was rebuking Christians who sought to use God’s grace as an excuse to return to a life of sin. &nbsp;What an awful attitude to have, treating the sacrifice of Christ so irreverently as to casually return to sin, perhaps thinking, “Well, God will just forgive me anyway…”<br /><br />Peter described just how disgusting it would be to willingly return to the depravity of sin.<br /><br /><b>2 Peter 2:20-22 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”</span></i><br /><br />Returning to a life of sin after being forgiven would be like Christ abandoning the glory of His resurrection only to return to the despair of the grave.<br /><br /><b>Romans 6:10</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />We must not return to our former life of sin, for in doing so we foolishly forfeit our salvation, rejecting the gift of God (<b>Romans 6:23</b>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Created for Good Works</u></b></h3></div><br />Therefore, our new purpose should be set upon pleasing the Lord and doing His will through good works.<br /><br />Of course, in doing these good works, we must always remember that our salvation is attained by works.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Ephesians 2:8-10</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.</span></i><br /><br />Indeed we are saved by God’s grace. &nbsp;However, God expects an obedient faith (<b>James 1:22</b>).<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 6:20 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Therefore we work as “instruments of righteousness” not to be saved, but because we are saved!<br /><br /><b>Romans 6:12-14</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Alive to God</u></b></h3><br />As we read in <b>Romans 6:11</b>, to be dead to sin is to be “<i><span style="color: orange;">alive to God</span></i>”. <br /><br />Let’s attempt to tie together all of the figurative language:<br /><br />When one decides to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, they repent of their former life of sin… &nbsp;They put to death the self-serving life of sin that they once led. &nbsp;They become dead to sin. &nbsp;But that’s not the end of the story. &nbsp;As one reborn through baptism, they are a new creation likened to the resurrected Christ.<br /><br /><b>Romans 6:8 -9 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.</span></i><br /><br />Just as Christ won’t die anymore now that He has been resurrected, neither will we. &nbsp;Being alive to God is a blessing while we live in the flesh and onward into eternity.<br /><br /><b>John 10:10<i><span style="color: orange;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.</span></i><br /><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange;">As Jesus points out, through Him our earthly life will be enriched greatly.</span><br /><br />No longer burdened by sin and diligently resisting temptation, a faithful Christian lives a fulfilling life with a clear conscience before God (<b>1 Peter 3:21</b>), enjoys the spiritual blessings God offers (<b>Ephesians 1:3</b>), and now has a hopeful future to look forward to as he is guaranteed an eternal home with Jesus!<br /><br /><b>John 6:40 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.</span></i><br /><div><br /></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-34493628400549267562017-04-15T10:31:00.000-04:002017-04-15T10:49:08.167-04:00Evidences of the Resurrection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h41AAQNDNI/WPIwJ4f91vI/AAAAAAAAJPs/atIHM6wbB-0R1qM9mzXVxnsbO_fE_71SwCLcB/s1600/Res.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9h41AAQNDNI/WPIwJ4f91vI/AAAAAAAAJPs/atIHM6wbB-0R1qM9mzXVxnsbO_fE_71SwCLcB/s640/Res.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />With so many celebrating the Easter holiday this week, millions around the world - believers and non-believers - are reminded of Jesus' death, burial, and - most importantly - His resurrection.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Significance of the Resurrection</u></b></h3><br />Jesus’ resurrection is the single most important event in the Bible. &nbsp;Our Lord’s victory over death is the very foundation of our faith. <br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 15:17-19</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">…If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.</span></i><br /><br />As Paul pointed out, if Christ had not been resurrected, our faith would be useless. &nbsp;We would still be in our sins. &nbsp;Life would be as meaningless - and, therefore, hopeless - as unbelievers contend. &nbsp;There would be no point to us being Christians.<br /><br />However, as Paul goes on to state, Christ <u>was</u> resurrected. &nbsp;He <i>is</i> risen. &nbsp;We serve a <u>living</u> Savior who overcame death.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>God Wants Us to be Informed</u></h3><br />I think it’s a great misconception that faith ought to be blind. &nbsp;Time and again, the Bible tells us that God wants us to be informed and search out evidences for ourselves.<br /><br /><b>Proverbs 3:13 &nbsp;(NIV)</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.</span></i><br /><br />Aside from that, Christians need evidence in order to convince others and lead them to the Truth.<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 Peter 3:15 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…</span></i><br /><br />Keeping that in mind, let us examine 5 evidences that make the case for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Evidence #1 – Secular History</u></h3><br />Many skeptics will point out that Bible evidence for the very existence of Jesus – including His death and subsequent resurrection – is questionable because of its inherent bias. &nbsp;Of course the Bible, a book claiming to be the Word of God, would confirm itself as true a skeptic might say in questioning the validity of the Gospels.<br /><br />Indeed, due to wars, pillaging, and simple deterioration of various writings and artifacts, there is a severe lack of information about the life of Jesus to be found. In fact, few writings from the time of Christ exist at all, even information about important secular leaders of the time such as Julius Caesar, and yet no historian would question the existence of Caesar!<br /><br />However, Historian Darrell Bock notes that since He wasn’t a great political or military leader that “It is amazing and significant that Jesus shows up at all in the sources we have.” <br /><br />The sources available today include the writings of Jewish and Roman historians, Roman officials, and pagan sources, none of which would have any reason to want to further the influence of Christianity. <br /><br />It is through these early non-Christian sources that the following facts about Jesus’ life are confirmed:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus was from Nazareth</div><div style="text-align: center;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus lived a wise and virtuous life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus’ enemies acknowledged that He performed unusual feats.</div><div style="text-align: center;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus was crucified in Judea under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius Caesar at the time of Passover, being considered the Jewish King.</div><div style="text-align: center;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jesus was believed by His disciples to have died and risen from the dead three days later.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It’s truly as Paul said to King Agrippa, the things Jesus did were “not done in a corner!” (<b>Acts 26:26</b>)</div><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Evidence #2 – The Empty Tomb</u></h3><br />Establishing the reliability of the Bible through the verification of outside, secular sources, let’s examine some of the physical evidence detailed in the Scriptures. <br /><br /><b>John 20:1-7</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.</span></i><br /><br />Reading this section of verses, it would be easy for skeptics to argue that since believers of Jesus found the tomb empty that their testimony is biased and therefore unreliable. &nbsp;However, it is important to note that even the enemies of Christ – the Pharisees and others – never denied that the tomb was found empty. <br /><br />It is also significant that the first people to discover the empty tomb were women. &nbsp;Taking into consideration historical norms of the Greco-Roman culture of the day this detail is especially noteworthy. &nbsp;As sexist as it may sound today, in this ancient society the testimony of women was not considered reliable. <br /><br />Therefore, if the Gospel writers were merely making things up surely they would not have reported that it was women who found the empty tomb. &nbsp;Wouldn’t they have written that it was men instead that made this discovery so as to make their story more believable in that day and age? &nbsp;However, we read in the Gospels what actually happened as reported by those who were actually there, regardless of the cultural taboos of the day.<br /><br />Many have sought to explain away the evidence of the empty tomb with various theories such as the body of Jesus was stolen or that Jesus wasn’t actually dead to begin with. &nbsp;These theories are all easily debunked however. <br /><br />Take for example the “Stolen Body” theory: &nbsp;Jesus’ enemies – namely the Pharisees of the Sanhedrin – actually feared that something of this sort would happen, that one of Jesus’ disciples would try to steal His body in order to make the claim that He had been resurrected. <br /><br />The disciples, however, seem to have little to no motivation for doing this. &nbsp;In fact, it would seem that the Pharisees had more faith in Jesus’ declaration that He would live again than some of His closest followers. &nbsp;We read that many of the disciples weren’t even present at the tomb that Jesus was revealed to be resurrected (<b>Luke 24:13</b>). &nbsp;This is further indicated a lack of faith by expressing disappointment that Jesus had not delivered on His promise (<b>Luke 24:21</b>).<br /><br />The Pharisees however, were taking no chances, so they took precautions and asked that the tomb be sealed and that Roman guards be stationed at the entrance of the tomb to prevent the stealing of Jesus’ body. &nbsp;Based on Roman military protocol of the day, historians estimate the number of soldiers guarding the tomb being anywhere from at least 4 to a dozen to possibly even more. &nbsp;On top of that, keep in mind that Jesus was put to death and buried during the Passover feast, at time at which there were thousands of Jews camping in the surrounding area. <br /><br />Taking all of this into consideration, the notion that a group of disciples boldly snuck up on these soldiers, rolled away the 1-2 ton stone at the mouth of the tomb and stole Jesus’ body all without being seen or heard by someone is highly unlikely.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Evidence #3 – Post-Resurrection Appearances</u></h3><br />It would be all-too-easy to refute the story of Jesus’ resurrection if no one ever saw Him again. &nbsp;However, we have documentation that people not only saw the resurrected Jesus, but also touched, walked with, ate with, and talked with Him!<br /><br />Jesus appeared to His disciples on numerous occasions following His resurrection. &nbsp;Recall that Jesus was among them for 40 days after His resurrection.<br /><br /><b>Acts 1:1-3</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.</span></i><br /><br />The Apostle Thomas famously doubted that Jesus was actually alive again until encouraged by Jesus to touch Him.<br /><br /><b>John 20:24-28</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”</span></i><br /><br />Some of Jesus’ own disciples supposed that Jesus’ resurrection – if it took place at all – was going to be a sort of ghostly manifestation in keeping with the Jewish belief that the spirit lingered after the body died. &nbsp;Taking this evidence into account, however we know that Jesus’ resurrection was not merely a spiritual resurrection, but a physical one. <br /><br />In fact, hundreds of witnesses saw Jesus at one time following His resurrection!<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 Corinthians 15:6 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.</span></i><br /><br />Modern psychologists have confirmed that this could not be could be a case of “mass hallucination”, that all these witnesses merely imagined Jesus among them. His appearing to so many witnesses in the flesh confirmed that He was indeed alive once more!<br /><br />In a court of law we find ourselves convinced by eye-witness accounts, people who were actually there. &nbsp;Why then would we question the testimony of those who claimed to have seen the resurrected Jesus?<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Evidence #4 – The Radical Transformation of the Disciples and Others</u></h3><br />Consider for a moment the life and character of Peter and the other disciples as recorded in the earlier parts of the Gospels. <br /><br />We read over and over that these eleven men were often proved to be fairly ignorant of the scriptures and slow learners (Even to the point that Jesus Himself actually got frustrated with them on more than one occasion!). &nbsp;They would jump to brash conclusions and were downright self-righteous at times. &nbsp;Additionally, they exhibited inconsistent faith time and time again and were even shown to be cowardly, fleeing for their lives as Jesus was being taken away.<br /><br />How is it then that these same men would so suddenly become such knowledgeable and bold evangelists responsible for spearheading a religious movement that would go on to last some 2000 years and counting? &nbsp;Something very real happened to them that transformed their lives!<br /><br />Perhaps the best example of such a drastic 180-degree turn is that of Paul. &nbsp;Previously known as Saul of Tarsus, Paul was once an extremely devout Pharisee and one of the harshest persecutors of the early church. &nbsp;A religious zealot, Paul was responsible for having many Christians imprisoned and even put to death. <br /><br />However, on the road to Damascus, Paul encountered Jesus. &nbsp;While this was not Jesus in the physical form as we previously discussed, this was no mere subjective vision. &nbsp;Paul’s travelling companions also perceived the bright light and voice of Jesus as He appeared to Paul (<b>Acts 9:7, 22:9</b>). &nbsp;After meeting the Lord, Paul repented of his wicked ways and became a changed man. &nbsp;He went on to become a great leader of the early church and wrote the bulk of the New Testament.<br /><br />Many unbelievers claim that all religions – including Christianity – only exist to control the masses and that they are all ultimately based upon some kind of lie. &nbsp; But by the world’s standards, what did the Apostles have to gain in preaching Christ? &nbsp;In the physical sense they had nothing to gain and everything to lose! &nbsp;The disciples never gained worldly riches from their evangelical work, and yet they were willing to face imprisonment, exile, torture, and even death in order to preach Jesus! &nbsp;This simply isn’t something that anyone would be willing to do if it was all simply based upon lie. <br /><br />The fact is they knew that Christ truly had risen from the dead!<br /><br /><b>Galatians 2:20 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Evidence #5 – The Birth and Growth of the Church</u></h3><br />It was during the first century that the church was established and it wasn’t long before the movement exploded onto the scene. &nbsp;This wasn’t merely some short-lived cult; it was a huge movement that came suddenly and hasn’t gone away since. &nbsp;The church positively thrived in the first century and beyond.<br /><br />From the beginning the Church saw a huge, instantaneous shift in the religious landscape of the day. &nbsp;The Day of Pentecost was a major turning point. &nbsp;Occurring 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection and just 9 days after His ascension into Heaven, thousands of Jews gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Pentecost. &nbsp;Many of those present had been witnesses to Jesus’ ministry, His crucifixion, and resurrection. &nbsp;Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Peter addressed the crowd. &nbsp;Notice the reaction of this huge crowd after hearing the first Gospel sermon.<br /><br /><b>Acts 2:40-41</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.</span></i><br /><br />Following the church’s establishment, the Christian faith continued to gain incredible momentum. &nbsp;It wasn’t long before Christianity would become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, impressively overthrowing pagan practices that had went on for centuries. <br /><br />In our modern era, we see movements spring up almost overnight thanks to our advanced transportation and communication technology. &nbsp;However, Christianity spread like wildfire without the aid these modern devices. <br /><br />Only something as compelling and persuasive and real as Jesus’ resurrection could account for this widespread conversion.<br /><br /><u><br /></u><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Responding to the Resurrection – “What Shall We Do?”</u></h3><br />Regardless of the evidences we have discussed today, ultimately, it all comes down to faith…<br />Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.<br /><br /><b>John 20:29</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”</span></i><br /><br />However, God requires more than just mere faith. &nbsp;There is a call for obedient action on our part. &nbsp;Recall on the Day of Pentecost that the crowd was moved by Peter’s sermon.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Acts 2:36-38 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” &nbsp;Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”</span></i><br /><br />Perhaps, like those gathered on the Day of Pentecost, you find yourself convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior who overcame death through the resurrection. <br /><br />Perhaps you likewise find yourself “cut to the heart” in recognizing that you are guilty of sin and that you desire God’s forgiveness. <br /><br />If that is the case then you will want to know the answer that Peter gave to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost, for it is the same offer of salvation that Jesus provides to all of us today…<br /><br /><b>Acts 2:38</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...”</span></i><br /><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-7932317171638655872017-04-13T23:04:00.002-04:002017-04-13T23:04:41.150-04:00Romans 8:11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu_WUChMzkA/WPA8I3DAp0I/AAAAAAAAJO0/94Zcu_8tZ1kCjx7gj31K46q88QRPC1eewCLcB/s1600/17757318_1429784710428546_1141093934046087983_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu_WUChMzkA/WPA8I3DAp0I/AAAAAAAAJO0/94Zcu_8tZ1kCjx7gj31K46q88QRPC1eewCLcB/s640/17757318_1429784710428546_1141093934046087983_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-65136760057758200532017-04-13T22:30:00.000-04:002017-04-14T06:56:26.985-04:00Concerning Angels – Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtML53z00Tw/WPAzXxFqQiI/AAAAAAAAJOY/zsKpHHYAjsw2CcsYg_94IMKs_xbb6z3XgCLcB/s1600/asdfsfd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtML53z00Tw/WPAzXxFqQiI/AAAAAAAAJOY/zsKpHHYAjsw2CcsYg_94IMKs_xbb6z3XgCLcB/s640/asdfsfd.JPG" width="640"></a></div><br>In <a href="http://saltandlightlessons.blogspot.com/2017/02/concerning-angels.html" target="_blank">the previous lesson</a> we discussed the appearance of angels, learned what angels are and are not, and defined some of the roles that angels fulfill.<br><br>The subject of angels is a dense one. &nbsp;I started out the previous lesson thinking it would be easy, only to find myself unsure of where to begin and conclude. &nbsp;There is still more to learn about angels, and this lesson will continue to just scratch the surface. <br><br><h3><br><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Fallibility of Angels</b></div></h3><br>We’ve all heard of someone being referred to as being a “perfect little angel” – usually in mocking tone – the implication being that all angels are pure and holy.<br><br>However, this is not entirely the case. &nbsp;In the previous lesson we discussed the fact that angels are somewhat similar to humans in that they are apparently sentient beings with free will. Therefore, like humans, angels are imperfect and just as capable of making mistakes. &nbsp;Angels can turn away from God.<br><br><b>Galatians 1:8 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.</span></i><br><i><span style="color: orange;">In addition to turning away from God, we see that some angels actively work to turn humanity away from God. &nbsp;</span></i><br><br><h3><br><div style="text-align: center;">Concerning Demons</div></h3><br>“Demon” (from the Greek word daimōn, translated “devil”) is another name for these fallen angels. &nbsp;While the origin of demons is not explicitly discussed in the Bible, there are verses that speak of the fall of angels and their leader Satan.<br><br><b>Revelation 12:7-9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, &nbsp;but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them &nbsp;in heaven any longer. &nbsp;So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.</span></i><br><br>After rebelling against God, Satan and his angels (as many as one third of all the angels – <b>Revelation 12:4</b>) were cast from Heaven. &nbsp;Since that time, Satan has taken on the role of tempter and his primary goal is turning the hearts of men away from God (<b>Genesis 3</b>). &nbsp;Like their leader the devil, demons actively seek to contaminate the human race, damage our relationship with God, and thereby condemn us to a fate similar to their own.<br><b><br></b><b>John 8:44 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.</span></i><br><br>There is not much said about demons in the Old Testament, but some Scriptures describe “distressing – or evil – spirits from God” (<b>1 Samuel 16:15-16, 23</b>) or “lying spirits” (<b>1 King 22:21-23</b>) that afflicted kings and prophets of the age. <br><br>In the New Testament they are usually called “unclean spirits” (<b>Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7</b>), “wicked – or evil – spirits” (<b>Luke 7:21, Acts 19:12-13</b>), “deceiving spirits” (<b>1 Timothy 4:1</b>), or “spirits of divination” (<b>Acts 16:16</b>).<br><br>As disturbing as it may sound, Satan and his demons have some degree of power in our world. &nbsp;Satan is even sometimes called “the ruler of this world” (<b>John 12:31</b>) or “the god of this age” (<b>2 Corinthians 4:4</b>). &nbsp;While he does not have complete rule over this world – God is still above all – it is unsettling to realize that in some way that the devil rules over the people of this world.<br><br>The book of Job describes an instance in which Satan was allowed by God to do anything but kill him (<b>Job 1:6-12</b>). &nbsp;In our time Satan and his followers are more subtle in their work. &nbsp;They utilize deceit as a means to manipulate mankind into rebelling against God by appealing to the lusts of the flesh (<b>1 John 2:16</b>).<br><br>Some pagan worshippers apparently had dealings with demons. &nbsp;Whether this was done unknowingly or intentionally is unclear. &nbsp;Regardless, it is certain that demons delight in the making false idols to draw away worship from the true God (<b>Leviticus 17:7, Psalm 106:37</b>). &nbsp;I wonder how many false religions today owe their existence to the work of fallen angels?<br><br>Another tactic employed by the devil and his infernal cohorts is the twisting of the very word of God (Satan himself actually quoted Scripture in an attempt to corrupt Christ – <b>Matthew 4:5-6</b>) and the enabling of false teachers to spread their perverted gospels.<br><br><b>Revelation 16:14</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.</span></i><br><b><br></b><b>2 Corinthians 11:13-15</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.</span></i><br><br>Therefore, as Christians we are warned to be aware of spiritual threats…<br><br><b>1 John 4:1 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.</span></i><br><br><b>1 Peter 5:8 </b>&nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.</i></span><br><br>But we are also encouraged with the knowledge that God has the ultimate power over all.<br><br><b>James 2:19 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!</span></i><br><br><b>1 John 4:4</b> &nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.</i></span><br><br><br><h3 style="text-align: center;">What about Demonic Possession?</h3><br>Of course we cannot discuss demons without delving into the topic of demonic possession…<br>During a demonic possession, an unclean spirit would personally attack a human with various afflictions. &nbsp;Demons could cause diseases such as muteness (<b>Matthew 12:22</b>), deafness (<b>Mark 9:25</b>), blindness (<b>Matthew 12:22</b>), and bodily deformations (<b>Luke 13:10-17</b>). &nbsp;Additionally, we read of demons capable of inflicting mental problems (<b>Matthew 8:28, Acts 19:13-16</b>) such as ranting and raving (<b>Mark 1:23-24, John 10:20</b>), uncontrolled fits (<b>Luke 9:37-42, Mark 1:26</b>), and antisocial behaviors (<b>Luke 8:27, 35</b>).<br><br>Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, He healed people who had been possessed by demons (<b>Mark 1:22-28, Mark 5:1-16</b>). &nbsp; Through such miraculous acts, Jesus established His power over Satan and his demonic forces. &nbsp;Jesus needed only to issue a simple verbal command to expel demons. &nbsp;Meanwhile, His disciples would invoked Christ’s name (<b>Luke 9:49</b>) or prayed (<b>Mark 9:29</b>) to cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit.<br><br>A question that often comes up while discussing demonic possession is whether or not such things still happen in the modern age. &nbsp;It is worth noting that the Gospel writers would often distinguish between sickness and demonic possession and point out that not all diseases were caused by demons. <br>For example, in <b>Matthew 12:22 </b>a man was brought to Jesus “<i><span style="color: orange;">who was demon-possessed, blind and mute…</span></i>” in this instance the infirmities of this individual appear to be caused by the demon. &nbsp;However, in <b>John 9</b>, Jesus healed a blind man who was “<i><span style="color: orange;">blind from birth</span></i>”. &nbsp;Apparently this was a natural, rather than supernatural affliction.<br><br>The point being that it is unclear whether or not some of the diseases and mental illnesses we see today are caused by demonic possession. &nbsp;However, it’s worth pointing out that the age of miracles has apparently ended (<b>1 Corinthians 13:8-13</b>) and the ability to cast out demons is listed among the miraculous abilities (<b>Mark 9:38-41</b>). &nbsp;Therefore, if mankind no longer has the ability to cast out demons, then perhaps it can be assumed that God no longer allows people to be afflicted by demons in this way. <br><br>Interestingly enough, following the book of Acts there is no mention of exorcisms in the latter part of the New Testament. &nbsp;It’s almost as if that particular threat from the demonic realm was phased out altogether. &nbsp;Perhaps the power of demons is significantly limited now that they are bound in Hell…<br><br><b>2 Peter 2:4 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;</span></i><br><br>We know that some will still claim even to this day to have the ability to cast out demons in Christ’s name. &nbsp;However we are warned against such false teachers by Jesus Himself.<br><br><b>Matthew 7:21-23 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’</span></i><br><br>Should we fear demons today? &nbsp;Not if we are in Christ! &nbsp;Christ’s power over demonic forces is just as potent today as it was when He walked the Earth.<br><br><b>James 4:7</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.</span></i><br><br><br><h3 style="text-align: center;">Angel Worship</h3><br>While it’s obvious that seeking communicate with demons or otherwise dabbling in the occult is forbidden by God (<b>Deuteronomy 18:10-11, Leviticus 19:31</b>), one might think that conversing with righteous angels might be an acceptable practice. &nbsp;I’ve heard of some individuals seeking to direct prayer to their “guardian angel”.<br><br>We can read of instances in which mankind encountered angels and began to worship them. &nbsp;In such cases we can read of the angels actually rebuking them for doing so!<br><br><b>Revelation 22:8-9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. &nbsp;Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”</span></i><br><i><span style="color: orange;"><br></span></i>It’s important to make clear that the worship of anything/anyone other than God is forbidden by Scripture!<br><br><b>Colossians 2:18 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind… </span></i><br><br><br><h3 style="text-align: center;">Humanity and Angels within the Spiritual Hierarchy</h3><br>How often after a loved one has died have we heard somebody seeking to comfort us by saying “Heaven has gained another angel”? &nbsp;We must realize that humans do not become angels after they have died! As we have studied in both parts of this series of lessons, angels are created beings distinctly different from mankind. <br><br>For further proof of this truth we can look to the words of Christ Himself when He was discussing marriage in the afterlife.<br><br><b>Matthew 22:29-30 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.</span></i><br><br>Notice that while making this point Christ differentiates between angels and human souls. &nbsp;Humanity and angels are distinct and unique creations!<br><br>Within the spiritual hierarchy, we read that mankind is ranked just below the angels…<br><br><b>Psalm 8:4-6 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? &nbsp;For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.</span></i><br><br>…And yet, as we just read, the psalmists said that mankind holds a favored position. <br>Isn’t it amazing to consider that humanity actually possesses a few distinct advantages over the angels?<br><br>First, we know that mankind is created in the image of God (<b>Genesis 1:27</b>). &nbsp;This cannot be said of the angels (whose appearance we discussed in the previous lesson).<br><br>Additionally, we see that mankind was actually made privy to knowledge withheld from the angels through the revelation of the Gospel.<br><br><b>1 Peter 1:12 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.</span></i><br><br>We tend to think of the angels as always being positioned above humanity, holding some unattainable degree of righteousness over us. &nbsp;However, it’s incredible to realize that Scripture tells us humanity will actually be charged with judging the angels! &nbsp;Obviously not just any humans, but rather it will be the Saints – the Church – that will take on this role.<br><br><b>1 Corinthians 6:3</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Do you not know that we shall judge angels…?</span></i><br><br>What an awesome responsibility for mankind to take on, exercising authority over some of Heaven’s original inhabitants!<br><br><br><h3 style="text-align: center;">The Eternal Fate of Angels</h3><br>So what happens on the Day of Judgement and beyond? <br><br>The righteous angels will accompany Christ when He returns.<br><br><b>Matthew 25:31 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.</span></i><br><br>From there, the “holy angels” will enjoy the pleasures of the “new heavens” (<b>2 Peter 3:13</b>).<br><br>As for the demons, those fallen angels…<br><br><b>Jude 6</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day...</span></i><br><i><span style="color: orange;"><br></span></i>And there they will remain in torment.<br><br>If any of this sounds familiar, that is because the eternal fate of angels is more or less identical to our own destiny…<br><br>One final point to consider: <br><br>When it comes to deciding how one will spend eternity, it appears that humanity have a privilege that angels never had. To my knowledge there is no Scriptural evidence of fallen angels ever repenting or even having a chance at repentance... &nbsp;Once they turned their back on God, there was no chance of rejoining Him. &nbsp;It’s almost as if the angels were given one chance to choose whom they would serve, whether it be God or Satan.<br><br>That is the same choice that we face every day of our lives, isn’t it?<br><br>On that last day Jesus will judge the nations…<br><br><b>Matthew 25:41 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…</span></i><br><br>Will that be our eternal fate? &nbsp;Or will we be those “on His right hand” who gladly hear Him say…<br><br><b>Matthew 25:34</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">…Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…</span></i><br><div><br></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-77851984297967217862017-03-27T21:01:00.001-04:002017-03-27T22:18:39.036-04:00Reaching Across Generations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URr-uqabqls/WNmyboI7S3I/AAAAAAAAIN0/vi9k8NKPuBoEqohDjhcaWzOLAHTZ6v8ngCEw/s1600/IMG_2603-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URr-uqabqls/WNmyboI7S3I/AAAAAAAAIN0/vi9k8NKPuBoEqohDjhcaWzOLAHTZ6v8ngCEw/s640/IMG_2603-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Malachi 4:5-6 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. &nbsp;And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…</span></i><br /><br />If you’re not already familiar with the term millennial, this is “<i>the name given to the generation born between 1982 and 2004… &nbsp;The last generation to be born in the 20th Century.</i>” <br /><br />Reportedly, millennials currently outnumber the “Baby Boomer” generation, making them the (currently) largest age-demographic in the United States.<br /><br />However - despite their large numbers - millennials are generally characterized in various media as being “misunderstood” and there is a lot of research that goes into characterizing the “typical” millennial as an – apparently – atypical generation with their own strengths and weaknesses.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A Snapshot of Millennials, According to their Press:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Millennials grew up in an electronics-filled and increasingly online and socially-networked world. They are the generation that has received the most marketing attention. As the most ethnically diverse generation, Millennials tend to be tolerant of difference. Having been raised under the mantra "follow your dreams" and being told they were special, they tend to be confident. While largely a positive trait, the Millennial generation’s confidence has been argued to spill over into the realms of entitlement and narcissism. &nbsp;</i></div><br />There’s hardly a day that goes by in which I don’t come across some article trying to figure out millennials: <br /><br />Companies worry about appealing to millennials with their products and advertising. &nbsp;Business owners fret over creating a workplace that accommodates the unique needs of millennials.<br /><br />Even churches seem to be unsure of how to reach out to millennials, leading to many congregations scrambling to re-brand themselves so as to attract this younger demographic.<br /><br /><h3><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>It’s All Been Done Before: &nbsp;The Generation Gap</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></h3>Before we go any further I’d like to point out what you have probably already realized…<br />Basically, what we have here is an older generation not fully understanding the up-and-coming generation and vice-versa. &nbsp;But hasn’t this always been the case? &nbsp;And won’t it continue to be long into the future?<br /><br />There will always be a divide between the younger and older generations… &nbsp;The younger generation will inevitably feel that the older generation is “out of touch” while the older generation will usually claim that the younger generation is disrespectful at best, flat-out rebellious at worst. &nbsp;The older generation may feel threatened by new approaches and ideas while the younger generation thinks conventional wisdom is antiquated and useless. <br /><br />In other words: &nbsp;This isn’t a new problem.<br /><br /><b>Ecclesiastes 1:9</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.</span></i><br /><br />All of this isn't to say that this is a problem we should ignore. &nbsp;Indeed, we ought to be concerned about the spiritual well-being of all, but I wonder if some approach this issue in the wrong way...<br /><br /><h3></h3><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Attempts to Appeal to the Younger Generation</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></h3>In an attempt to bridge the generation gap, various churches use a variety of strategies in an attempt to appeal to younger generations. &nbsp;They may try:<br /><br />•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Making Worship More Exciting</b> – Churches sometimes will attempt to appeal to younger generations by creating worship “experiences”. &nbsp;In these churches, the “traditional” is replaced in favor of the “alternative”. &nbsp;Sitting in a stuffy pew singing hymns is replaced by a concert-like atmosphere where everyone is engaged and caught up in the emotion of the music and ambience. <br /><br />•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Offering Social Activities</b> – Another strategy churches will employ is creating recreational community centers. &nbsp;They build huge complexes to offer organized sports and other programs to appeal to those seeking “fellowship”.<br /><br />•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Altering the Message</b> – Sometimes churches will go as far as to soften their stance on issues to appeal to younger generations. &nbsp;Preachers may take on the role of motivational speakers whose lessons primarily consist of anecdotes, occasionally peppered with the more “uplifting” verses from the Bible. &nbsp;Maybe they won’t preach about Hell because they want to play up the positive. &nbsp;Perhaps they will avoid discussing God’s disapproval of homosexuality because it doesn’t sound “tolerant”. <br /><br />The problem with all these approaches is three-fold: <br /><br />First, most people – young or old – are wise to nearly every trick of this kind. &nbsp;They can see right through the bait-and-switch and may even come away insulted by the shallow effort. <br /><br />For example, I'm reminded of an awkward situation years ago during the my Freshman year of college: &nbsp;An older gentleman came to address the student body during a convocation, bringing what started out as a decent message on resisting the pressures of the world. &nbsp;But then, in an attempt to convince us that he was "hip" he proceeded to put on a baseball cap… &nbsp;Only to make a point of turning it backwards. &nbsp;And then he began to rap. &nbsp;Yes, a sixty-something man rapped to an audience of college students about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. &nbsp;I’m pretty sure it was an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved. <br /><br />Nobody appreciated being pandered to, this technique usually turns away the ones to which its mean to appeal to and alienates everybody else in the process.<br /><br />A second problem is if these tactics do work then what what’s the true motivation for those attending such churches? &nbsp;What happens when the music is no longer appealing or another organization offers a better sports program? &nbsp;What’s really the focus of a church if it’s comprised of people who come merely for the entertainment, free food, etc.? &nbsp;It’s unlikely that in such congregations that God is being glorified. <br /><br />Third – and most important – these methods deviate from Scripture. &nbsp;While such churches try to promote the Gospel, they actually stray from God’s Word in doing so!<br /><br />•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Worship in Spirit and Truth</b> – Worship may appeal to the emotions, but that should be a happy byproduct, not the primary focus. &nbsp;God is meant to be at the center of worship, not us. &nbsp;Additionally, we know that God has given specific instructions for worship.<br /><b><br /></b><b>John 4:24</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit <u>and truth</u>.</span></i><br /><br />•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>True Fellowship</b> – Fellowship is more than just merely hanging out with other Christians. &nbsp;The term actually refers to a very deep spiritual relationship between brothers and sisters in Christ. &nbsp;Christian fellowship should involve confessing sin to one another (<b>James 5:16</b>), edifying and encouraging each other (<b>Romans 15:2</b>), and bearing each other’s burdens (<b>Galatians 6:2</b>).<br /><br />•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>God’s Changeless Word</b> – The Bible remains just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. &nbsp;Jesus Himself is unchanging (<b>Hebrews 13:8</b>). &nbsp;Therefore God’s Word does not change with any new societal norms or popular man-made doctrines. &nbsp;If we alter Scripture in any way we allow ourselves to become false teachers.<br /><b><br /></b><b>2 Timothy 4:3-4</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>What does the Church <i>Really </i>Have to Offer?</u></h3><div><u><br /></u></div><br />The young, old, black, white, male, female, whoever, whatever the demographic… &nbsp;They’re all souls in need of a Savior. <br /><br />Whether they realize it or not, they’re all looking for fulfillment. <br /><br />People from all walks of life turn to the various religions of the world looking for answers. &nbsp;Others turn to self-help books, exercise, or diets to help them find value in themselves. &nbsp;Many others rely on their career and pursuit of status. &nbsp;Fame, money, drugs, sex – isn’t ironic that the people who seem to have the most in life often seem to be the most miserable?<br /><br />It’s as if everyone is born with a God-shaped void in their heart and they keep looking for the square peg to put into the round hole. <br /><br />When churches resort to gimmicks to advertise and draw people in, they’re announcing to the world that they have nothing truly different to offer… <br /><br />I think such churches forget the single most valuable asset they have to offer: &nbsp;access to Jesus Christ Himself!<br /><br />The world is dying for fulfillment and we can lead them to Him!<br /><br /><b>Matthew 5:6</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.</span></i><br /><br /><b>John 6:51</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.</span></i><br /><br /><b>John 4:13-14</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”</span></i><br /><br />What sets the church apart from everything else in the world is our relationship with Christ, our devotion to God’s Word, our emulation of Jesus through the loving of all. &nbsp;If this isn’t what the world sees when they see Christians, we need to work to change that!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>The Obligations of the Younger Generation</u></h3><div><u><br /></u></div><br />I think in some ways the younger generation feels that they deserve to be pandered to. &nbsp;However, Scripture reveals that young people have obligations when it comes to serving God... &nbsp;Some more difficult than others to accept!<br /><br />The “come as you are” approach is prevalent among many churches today who tweak Scripture to attract socially-conscious youth. &nbsp; Indeed, God does not show favoritism (<b>Romans 2:11</b>) and accepts any and all regardless of gender, social status, etc. (<b>Galatians 3:28</b>). <br /><br />However, the Bible teaches us that God doesn’t want us to remain as we are. &nbsp;Unfortunately, this seems to be the message that many preach today, the idea that we don’t need to change to have a closer relationship with God.<br /><br /><b>Acts 17:30 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent…</span></i><br /><br />We must understand that God seeks to transform us and therefore repentance should be taught as a central theme of the Bible (<b>Isaiah 30:15</b>, <b>Matthew 3:8</b>, <b>Romans 12:2</b>, <b>2 Corinthians 5:17</b>). &nbsp;If anyone tells you any different, they are misleading you!<br /><br />So perhaps sometimes it isn’t the church making changes isn’t the problem… &nbsp;I’ll be bold enough to suggest that maybe the younger generation needs to make some changes if they truly desire to have a relationship with Christ!<br /><br />Young people: &nbsp;If a relationship with Christ is indeed what you desire, submit to God’s will instead of your own.<br /><br />Direct your passion and zeal toward Godly pursuits!<br /><br /><b>Ecclesiastes 12:1</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”</span></i><br /><br /><b>1 Timothy 4:12</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.</span></i><br /><br />And - finally - don’t reject the teachings of older Christians who have your best interests at heart!<br /><br /><b>Deuteronomy 32:7</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you…</span></i><br /><br />Don't forget: &nbsp;We will all - if God so blesses us - become the older generation at some point!<br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>The Obligations of the Older Generation</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></h3><br />The older generation doesn't get a pass - They too have responsibilities!<br /><br />Indeed, anyone – young or old – should seek to submit to God’s will… &nbsp;And not attempt to alter it in some misguided attempt to play a numbers game as we discussed earlier.<br /><br />Likewise, some criticisms directed at the older generation are justified. &nbsp;Perhaps the older generation could learn something from the younger!<br /><br />For example, older generations tend to get in the mindset that the way things have always been done are the only way. &nbsp;Obviously, we ought to submit to God’s unchanging Word, but we must also re-examine from time to time to make sure we aren’t caught up in traditions we ourselves have created (<b>Matthew 23:4</b>, <b>Mark 7:8-9</b>, <b>1 Timothy 4:3</b>)!<br /><br /><b>Matthew 15:3</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition..?”</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Sometimes we impose dress codes, or refuse to change the time of services, or otherwise seek to impose rules with no Scriptural basis but rather based on habit or "the way we’ve always done things." &nbsp;Not all change is bad and some is actually necessary, therefore the older generation should not be so resistance to making such changes!<br /><br />Obviously, the older generation is obligated to train up the younger, passing on their knowledge of God’s Word through instruction and example.<br /><br /><b>Proverbs 22:6</b> <span style="color: orange;"><i>Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.</i></span><br /><span style="color: orange;"><i><br /></i></span>Perhaps part of the problem is that the some of the older generation fell short in this duty. &nbsp;Perhaps this is why many young people have either left the church or never even joined to begin with!<br /><br />It's certainly a great responsibility to bear, but God is with us and through His strength the older generation has the opportunity to have a profound impact on the younger generation!<br /><b><br /></b><b>Psalm 71:18</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.</span></i><br /><b><br /></b><b>Psalm 145:4</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Each generation should build upon the foundation put down by the other!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Generational Unity in Christ</u></h3><div><u><br /></u></div><br />We know that Christ unifies us regardless of our nationality, social status, and gender…<br /><br /><b>Galatians 3:28</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.</span></i><br /><br />But recall that God also unifies us into a single generation!<br /><br /><b>1 Peter 2:9</b><i><span style="color: orange;"> But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…</span></i><br /><br />As we can see, every generation has an obligation not only to God, but also to each other. <br /><div><br /></div><div>Let us look beyond our differences and reach across generations to build each other up, always respect one another in Godly love, and seek to forge genuine relationships with the goal of encouraging and edifying one another. &nbsp;</div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-335725574841659112017-03-11T18:55:00.001-05:002017-04-13T23:04:54.079-04:00Psalm 27:1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tvKBmBqv1vo/WMSOXBhbRVI/AAAAAAAAIFk/165haoHoVBI/s1600/1486945610179_66506845-1486944224048_640x640-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tvKBmBqv1vo/WMSOXBhbRVI/AAAAAAAAIFk/165haoHoVBI/s640/1486945610179_66506845-1486944224048_640x640-01.jpeg" /> </a> </div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-83859083859207617712017-02-20T10:05:00.002-05:002017-02-20T10:22:23.107-05:00Concerning Angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RI3kSruIUck/WKsC_2aC2TI/AAAAAAAAHs4/BHqbM6iGeB0CHZB5VJAQLFte1MAm7JRjwCEw/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RI3kSruIUck/WKsC_2aC2TI/AAAAAAAAHs4/BHqbM6iGeB0CHZB5VJAQLFte1MAm7JRjwCEw/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Hebrews 13:2</b> tells us, “<span style="color: orange;"><i>Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.</i></span>”<br /><br />Considering that we never know when we are in the company of angels, it is fitting that we learn more about these heavenly guests!<br /><br />Many people would probably be surprised to find that much of what we think we know about angels actually comes from sources outside of the Bible. &nbsp;Paintings, books, cartoons, and movies have shaped the popular perception of angels, rather than study of Scripture.<br /><br />The appearance, temperament, and tasks of angels is just a few of many Biblical truths that would likely shock those in a secular understanding, but even seasoned students of the Bible might find themselves surprised by this topic. <br /><br />Christians themselves sometimes have great misconceptions when it comes to angels! &nbsp;For example, one might think that there’s not to say about angels, that there’s just a limited amount of Scripture dedicated to them, or that angels are more of an Old Testament subject. <br /><br />However, a further study reveals that angels are actually brought up in the Bible in almost 300 instances, with 108 mentions occurring in the Old Testament and 187 mentions in the New Testament! &nbsp;It turns out we can actually gather a great deal of understanding about these beings!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>The Appearance of Angels</u></h3><br />When someone brings up the topic of angels, a few different mental images probably come to mind. &nbsp;We might envision harps and halos. &nbsp;Perhaps we think of an adorable cupid-like figure, a chubby baby with tiny wings. &nbsp;Or maybe we envision a beautiful woman arrayed in glowing, flowing white robes.<br /><br />Halos are never mentioned in the Bible. &nbsp;Harps are mentioned once (in <b>Revelation 14:2</b> – but the reference may actually be a description of the unique singing voices of angels). &nbsp;Interestingly, Jesus taught that angels are without gender.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 22:29-30</b> &nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven…”</i></span><br /><span style="color: orange;"><i><br /></i></span>So what do angels actually look like? &nbsp;It turns out, the various angels described in the Bible might actually be kind of terrifying to behold in real life. &nbsp;In fact, most people who encountered angels in the Bible fell flat on their face in terror.<br /><br />The first angel mentioned in the Bible was the Cherub<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span> with a flaming sword (<b>Genesis 3:24</b>) assigned to guard the Garden of Eden once Adam and Eve were sent away by God. &nbsp;Cherubim – the subgroup of angels most commonly depicted as flying babies in secular media – aren’t actually as docile… or even the least bit cute. <br /><br />Ezekiel details the frightening visage of Cherubim as seen in one of his prophecies.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Ezekiel 1:4-14</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. &nbsp;As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. &nbsp;And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.</span></i><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9k7hxrgDrT8/WKsDJDCQ8QI/AAAAAAAAHss/Q4Wc3KY9MT4qslM5xiSwU9nlVuKLGBuGwCLcB/s1600/cherub1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9k7hxrgDrT8/WKsDJDCQ8QI/AAAAAAAAHss/Q4Wc3KY9MT4qslM5xiSwU9nlVuKLGBuGwCLcB/s640/cherub1.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An artist's depiction of a Cherub</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This account seems to be but an approximation attempting to describe the indescribable, using worldly terms to define something otherworldly in nature.<br /><br />Other angels are just as strange and imposing. &nbsp;Seraphim<span style="font-size: x-small;">**</span> – “burning ones” or “nobles” in Hebrew – are another class of angels described in the Bible described by the prophet Isaiah who had seen them in a vision of God in the Temple.<br /><br /><b>Isaiah 6:1-7</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: &nbsp;“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” &nbsp;And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. &nbsp;So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.”</span></i><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnb8oyMLHHs/WKsDTSWq91I/AAAAAAAAHsw/vJl30jE-EqMUjudoAlj2812LkNN1cRTNQCLcB/s1600/42080577738385390HaqdZyapc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnb8oyMLHHs/WKsDTSWq91I/AAAAAAAAHsw/vJl30jE-EqMUjudoAlj2812LkNN1cRTNQCLcB/s640/42080577738385390HaqdZyapc.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An artist's depiction of a Seraph</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Most of the time however, it is written that we would be unaware of an encounter with an angel in their true form (<b>Hebrews 13:2</b>). &nbsp;Typically angels are invisible to mankind or come in the guise of humans as we see in the accounts with Balaam (<b>Number 22:31-39</b>)&nbsp;and Abraham (<b>Genesis 18</b>) for example.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>What are Angels?</u></b></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div>Despite the abundance of knowledge to be found in Scripture concerning angels, there’s certainly an aura of mystery that surrounds them. &nbsp;In some ways they are like mankind and in other ways they are completely different. &nbsp;Despite their heavenly heritage, it would be a mistake to think of angels as being comparable to God.<br /><br /><b>Colossians 1:16 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.</span></i><br /><br />Angels are spiritual entities created by God, possibly existing before the creation of the Universe (there is no mention of them recorded in <b>Genesis 1</b>&nbsp;where most of the created things are mentioned by name). <br /><br />Like humans, they are sentient beings with free will. <br /><br />Unlike humans, angels are not wholly physical but they are not without bodies. &nbsp;They are described as spiritual, metaphysical creatures with “celestial bodies”.<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 15:39-40 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. &nbsp;There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Being heavenly inhabitants, it’s easy to think of angels as sharing characteristics with God. &nbsp;However, this is not the case at all; God is a completely different being with His own totally unique characteristics. &nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><b><u>Angels are Heavenly, but not Eternal</u></b>. &nbsp;God is called everlasting because He has no beginning or ending. &nbsp;He exists beyond time. &nbsp;Since angels – like all other creatures – were created by God, they have a beginning. &nbsp;Now, like humans, they may very well endure into eternity, but they cannot be considered eternal in the same sense as God. <br /><br /><br /><b><u>Angels are Spiritual, but not Infallible</u>. </b>&nbsp;It’s easy to think of angels as being completely righteous beings like God, but it is important to remember that angels do have free will, and are therefore fallible. &nbsp;Like mankind, they can choose to whether serve God or not. &nbsp;The most infamous of angels is the fallen Satan who led a rebellion against God. &nbsp;Therefore we read that some angels actually can’t be trusted. <br /><br /><b>Galatians 1:8</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.</span></i><br /><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Angels are Wise, but not All-knowing</u></b>. &nbsp;We may think of angels may be privy to information withheld from mankind. &nbsp;This may be the case as they have the benefit of residing Heaven, but humanity has had knowledge revealed to them by the Holy Spirit that angels weren't previously aware of. &nbsp;Additionally, we see that God keeps some knowledge to himself. &nbsp;Therefore, angels are are far from omniscient.<br /><br /><b>1 Peter 1:12</b> &nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.</i></span><br /><br /><b>Matthew 24:36</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Angels are Swift, but not Omnipresent</u></b>. &nbsp;We know that God’s presence is universal, His spirit spans all of creation and cannot be contained (<b>1 Kings 8:27</b>, <b>Isaiah 66:1</b>). &nbsp;Angels, however fast they may be with their movements likened to lightning cannot be “two places at once”. &nbsp;In every mention of angels appearing on Earth, their manifestation appears to be localized and limited to one location.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Angels are not All-powerful</u></b>. &nbsp;While they have powers over mankind, their strength pales in comparison to the power of our omnipotent, almighty God. &nbsp;We know that most angels are subservient to God.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Psalm 103:20</b><i><span style="color: orange;"> Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>A Warning against Angel Worship</u></b></h3><br />Since we see that angels are lesser beings than God, it is important to note that angel worship is a form of false worship that would be unacceptable to God! &nbsp;We can not lift any created thing above the Creator!<br /><br /><b>Romans 1:24-25 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.</span></i><br /><i><br /></i><b>Colossians 2:18 &nbsp;</b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic;">Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind...</span><br /><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>What is the Role of Angels?</u></b></h3><br />Popular depictions in various media would have us thinking that angels mainly spend their time hanging out around Heaven singing in choirs. &nbsp;While there is some evidence that angels do engage in such activities (<b>Revelation 14:2-3</b>, <b>Luke 2:13-14</b>), they actually are quite active in the Earthly realm. &nbsp;In Hebrews 1:13-14 angels are described as “ministering spirits” and at various points in Biblical history, angels have taken on a number of roles.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Angels Reveal God’s Will</u></b>. &nbsp;The Greek word “angelos” and the Hebrew word “malak” are both more or less translated as “messenger.” &nbsp;In fact, there are some instances, these words occasionally refer to prophets or other human messengers (<b>Haggai 1:13</b>; <b>Malachi 2:7</b>, <b>3:1</b>). &nbsp;Most of the time, however, these words refer to angels. &nbsp;Certainly, this is in keeping with what we see angels doing in Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments.<br /><br />We can read of angels providing revelations to Daniel by the Archangel Gabriel, an angel appeared in the dreams of Joseph to notify him of Jesus’ coming birth in first two chapters of <b>Matthew</b>, “an angel of God” brought instructions Cornelius in <b>Acts 10:1-6</b> that led to his salvation, and Philip was led to preach to the Ethiopian by “an angel of the Lord” in <b>Acts 8</b>. &nbsp;While it's unclear if this is a present activity of angels, it’s abundantly clear that, at least in the past, angels have been actively involved in revealing God’s will.<br /><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Angels Protect God’s People</u></b>. &nbsp;Throughout the Bible, angels have taken on the role of protectors. &nbsp;In the Old Testament angels provided miraculous protection of Israel. &nbsp;Today it seems that angels offer spiritual protection to the saints. <br /><br /><b>Psalm 34:4-7 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. &nbsp;They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. &nbsp;The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.</span></i><br /><br /><b>Psalm 91:11-12 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.</span></i><br /><br />While we do read of angels serving as defenders in some unseen fashion, it is a bit of a leap to go as far as to say all of humanity is assigned a personal “guardian angel” that protects them from all harm as we know all to well that saints get sick, are persecuted, and die in spite of angelic protection.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Angels Execute God’s Judgement</u></b>. &nbsp;In the spiritual realm we read of how angels fought against Satan and his demons, ultimately casting them out of Heaven.<br /><br /><b>Revelation 12:7-9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.</span></i><br /><br />But angels have also been tasked with executing God’s judgement on Earth. &nbsp;The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in <b>Genesis 19 </b>and the punishment of Israel with pestilence in <b>2 Samuel 24 </b>were both carried out by angels. <br /><br />In the future, angels will continue playing a role in this area. &nbsp; On the Judgement Day angels will accompany Jesus when He returns (<b>Matthew 16:27</b>, <b>25:31</b>; <b>2 Thessalonians 1:7</b>) and it will be the angels who gather the wicked on that day.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 13:41-42</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.</span></i><br /><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Angels Accompany the Righteous Dead</u></b>. &nbsp;On the positive side, as they await the Judgement Day angels are kept busy with the receiving of “the spirits of just men made perfect” (<b>Hebrews 12:23</b>) and taking them into Paradise as we see in the account of the rich man and Lazarus.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Luke 16:22</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.</span></i><br /><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Angels Praise and Worship God</u></b>. &nbsp; &nbsp;Finally, angels are praising and worshiping God in Heaven in glorious scenes such as those found in Revelation.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Revelation 5:11-14</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Angels and Our Salvation</u></h3><br />I hope that this has been a beneficial study that has revealed some insights concerning a very deep topic. &nbsp;Certainly, this is just scratching the surface on the subject of angels. &nbsp;In a future lesson I hope to discuss a few more topics concerning angels.<br /><br />But before we conclude this lesson, I’d like to turn our attention to the matter of salvation.<br /><br />It should be encouraging to us to know that angels are concerned with our salvation.<br /><br /><b>Luke 15:10 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.</span></i><br /><br />All the more reason that we heed the Word revealed by God!<br /><br /><b>Hebrews 2:1-4 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?</span></i><br /><div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">* <i>Cherub is the singular form, Cherubim is the plural</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">** <i>Seraph is the singular form, Seraphim is the plural</i></span></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-77491168506258832392017-01-29T14:42:00.002-05:002017-01-29T14:53:52.852-05:00The Danger of the Tongue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1OkLiBN0Qc/WI5Cnxdw6oI/AAAAAAAAGkg/O9uWsI7Ac_o9WVAZZL-I91qguILf2cuCQCLcB/s1600/Capture1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1OkLiBN0Qc/WI5Cnxdw6oI/AAAAAAAAGkg/O9uWsI7Ac_o9WVAZZL-I91qguILf2cuCQCLcB/s640/Capture1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The picture used in the header is a collage of photographs that Norman Rockwell would utilize as a reference to create his painting "The Gossips." &nbsp;While the piece is meant to be whimsical, it also serves to demonstrate the how gossip can spread across and entangle a community and reminds us to avoid the practice.<br /><br />We'll return to the topic of gossip later, but for now, let's talk about words.<br /><br />We're familiar with the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” &nbsp;Unfortunately, we know all too well that this is not always true. &nbsp;We know that words can actually be quite devastating...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>The Powerful Tongue</u></b></h3></div><br /><b>Proverbs 18:21</b> says that <span style="color: orange;"><i>"Death and life are in the power of the tongue…"&nbsp;</i></span><br /><br />How is it possible that the tongue, something so small, could hold so much power?<br /><br /><b>James 3:5-12</b>&nbsp;explains <span style="color: orange;"><i>"…So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. &nbsp;How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? &nbsp;Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water."</i></span><br /><br />We must understand that we are not only responsible for the actions that we make in this life, but also the words that we speak. <br /><br />The tongue is capable of good or evil and even though we just read that we cannot fully tame it, we need to do our best to try. <br /><br />A saying that we are all familiar with: &nbsp;“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” <br /><br />Unfortunately, this is not always true! <br /><br />Words have meaning. &nbsp;Words are powerful. &nbsp;We forget sometimes just how powerful our words, for good or evil, can be!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Offensive Language</u></b></h3></div><b><br /></b>One of the most obvious ways that our tongue can lead to sin is through the use of offensive language.<br /><br />I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say, “They’re just words!” &nbsp;Words have meaning and overuse doesn’t diminish the meaning. &nbsp;Just because someone has personally become desensitized to using racial slurs, curse words, and other forms of offensive language doesn’t mean that others have.<br /><br />For those that think that “they’re just words” and it doesn’t matter what kind of language they use, <b>Ephesians 5:3-5</b> states: <i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>In this verse we see offensive language as being equal with fornication, uncleanness, covetousness and idolatry and is apparently serious enough that those who use it should not inherit the kingdom of Christ and God.<br /><br />I think that one of the major reasons that offensive language is such a problem is that people can become callous to it, not only using it in moments of wrath but integrating it into our everyday speech. &nbsp;Thanks to our music, movies, TV, and the internet, we are ever-increasingly exposed to this filthiness (dirty language), foolish talking, and coarse jesting (dirty jokes). &nbsp;We must be extremely careful to not conform to the world and become callous to the use of offensive language.<br /><br />I was listening to a song the other day that mentioned offensive language: &nbsp;“Ever since I learned how to curse, I’ve been using those sorry old words. But, I’m talkin’ to these children, and I’m keeping it clean. I don’t need those words to say what I mean. No, I don’t need those words to say what I mean...”<br /><br />Curse words don’t enhance our language in any way and, as the song pointed out, we don’t need them to say what we mean.<br /><br />Just as we read earlier in Ephesians, instead of engaging in unrighteous ways, we should seek what is fitting for saints and live worthy of our calling.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Angry Words</u></b></h3></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div>One of the easiest ways for the tongue to cause trouble is when we exhibit anger. &nbsp;In the heat of an argument, we say many things which are hurtful. &nbsp;We can never take these words back once they’ve escaped our mouths. &nbsp;In an instance, a relationship can be damaged forever. <br /><br />We sometimes sing a song from our hymn book called “Angry Words”. &nbsp;Let us examine the lyrics:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Angry words! O let them never,</div><div style="text-align: center;">From the tongue unbridled slip,</div><div style="text-align: center;">May the heart's best impulse ever,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check them ere they soil the lip.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love is much too pure and holy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friendship is too sacred far,</div><div style="text-align: center;">For a moment's reckless folly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thus to desolate and mar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Angry words are lightly spoken,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brightest links of life are broken,</div><div style="text-align: center;">By a single angry word.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love one another thus saith the Savior,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Children obey the Father's blest command,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love each other, love each other,</div><div style="text-align: center;">'Tis the Father's blest command.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>In the latter part of <b>Matthew 12:34</b>, Jesus says that&nbsp;<span style="color: orange;">"</span><i><span style="color: orange;">...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." &nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />What is in our heart? &nbsp;Hopefully, like our Savior, its love. <br /><b><br /></b><b>1 Corinthians 13:5-8</b> <span style="color: orange;"><i>Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth...</i></span><br /><br />A Christian’s speech should reflect the love and truth that is in his/her heart.<br /><br />When anger strikes, which it does when we sometimes least expect it, we need to remember these words: <b>&nbsp;Psalm 4:4</b><span style="color: orange;"> <i>Be angry, and do not sin. &nbsp;Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.</i></span><br /><span style="color: orange;"><i><br /></i></span>Just as it says in the Psalms, it’s OK to be angry, but not to sin. &nbsp;When we get angry, instead of responding with words that we’ll only regret saying later, we need to take a deep breath and take a moment to gain perspective and calm down. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Gossip</u></b></h3></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div>When I was in elementary school we would sometimes play the “telephone game”, in which someone in the class would make up a message and whisper it to another classmate who would whisper it to another and so on and so forth until finally the last student in the class would repeat the message that was whispered to them. &nbsp;Often times, the final message would bear little resemblance to the original.<br /><br />The results of the telephone game were comical, but the game reveals a very real and scary truth about gossip. &nbsp;Someone sees or hears something and tells somebody else and before long, everyone has heard the news.<br /><br /><b>Ecclesiastes 10:14</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness— and fools multiply words.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Gossip can be devastating. &nbsp;We all know of marriages, jobs, and even churches that have been torn apart by gossip. &nbsp;The tragic part is that sometimes the tales being told in gossip aren’t even true to begin with! &nbsp;A life can be destroyed through false testimony! <br /><br /><b>Proverbs 25:18</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />Long story short: &nbsp;At the workplace, among friends, wherever: &nbsp;A Christian should make every effort to not participate in gossip!<br /><br />Additionally, we must be extra careful with our opinions because sometimes we can become unwilling participants in gossip.<br /><br /><b>Ecclesiastes 10:20</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Therefore, we must always be careful in our words, because sometimes they can become gossip when our conversations are overheard.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Promises/Oaths</u></b></h3><b><u><br /></u></b>We might think that making a promise would be a good thing, a sign of trustworthiness. &nbsp;However, another way our tongue could land us in trouble is when we make promises and oaths.<br /><br /><b>Proverbs 6:2 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.</span></i><br /><br />When we make an oath, we are obligated to perform what we have promised.<br /><br />Jesus stated in&nbsp;<b>Matthew 5:33-37</b>: <span style="color: orange;"><i>“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ &nbsp;But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. &nbsp;Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. &nbsp;But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ <u>For whatever is more than these is from the evil one</u>. &nbsp;</i></span><br /><br />Jesus states that under the Old Law that it was forbidden to make false oaths or to go against your word. &nbsp;But Jesus takes this to the next level and states that we shouldn’t even make oaths at all, but instead let our “Yes” be “Yes” and our “No” be “No”! <br /><br />Our simple statement of “Yes” or “No” should be our oath.<br /><br />I know people that can’t even be trusted unless they make an oath of some kind. &nbsp;They can’t let their “Yes” be “Yes” and their “No” be “No”. &nbsp;And as if that isn’t bad enough, half the time you can’t even trust their promises. &nbsp;They have become so callous to lying that it is like second nature to them.<br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Deceitful Tongue</u></b></div></b></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div>In writing about the wicked man, <b>Psalm 10:7</b> says: <i><span style="color: orange;">His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.</span></i><br /><br /><b>Proverbs 17:20</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>This one is a bit of a "no-brainer": &nbsp;A lying tongue produces evil. &nbsp;False witness is a sinful practice. &nbsp;Jesus Himself was crucified over false witness.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Empty Words</u></b></h3></div><br />The devil can be very subtle in his workings. &nbsp;Sometimes things that appear to be harmless and the farthest thing in the world from sin can become so. &nbsp;I would argue that the phrase “just kidding” can become problematic.<br /><br />Jesus tells us in <b>Matthew 12:36-37</b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. &nbsp;For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>The phrase “empty words” could be interpreted in any number of ways. &nbsp;To me, it seems that “empty words” are words that have we intentionally or unintentionally put no meaning behind. &nbsp;Empty words are words that we are not taking seriously. &nbsp;As we read earlier, our “Yes” should be “Yes” and our “No” should be “No” and to me it seems that all of our words should be taken as it is. <br /><br />If we say something untrue or hurtful, we’ve already said it and we can’t take it back and we can’t just turn around and then say “just kidding”, and just expect it to go away.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Speak Wisely</u></b></h3></div><br /><b>Proverbs 10:19 </b>says, <span style="color: orange;"><i>"When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise"</i></span><br /><span style="color: orange;"><i><br /></i></span>Reading this verse, I can’t help but be reminded of the quote by Mark Twain: &nbsp;“It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.”<br /><br /><b>Proverbs 12:18</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><br />Let us be wise in our words. &nbsp;Let us use our words to build others up rather than tear them down. &nbsp;Let us speak positively and seek to encourage and edify.<br /><br />Some practical advice when it comes to our use of words: Think first, speak second... &nbsp;And remember, God gave you two ears and one mouth; Perhaps that means that we should listen more than we should speak!<br /><br /><br />Let our pledge be that of the Psalmist in <b>Psalm 39:1</b>: <span style="color: orange;"><i>"I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle."</i></span>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-16343001027746719372017-01-29T14:20:00.001-05:002017-01-29T14:20:28.573-05:00Lessons from Cain and Abel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9NfX4XTKYM/WI5AcTiCHTI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/TBA2gf0-O80QCo3zmecMHoIBG3WImFmNQCLcB/s1600/Capture1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9NfX4XTKYM/WI5AcTiCHTI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/TBA2gf0-O80QCo3zmecMHoIBG3WImFmNQCLcB/s640/Capture1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />At a cursory glance there would seem to be little to glean from the account of Cain and Abel aside from the most basic of lessons. &nbsp;To many, the “moral of the story” may merely be: Murder is wrong.<br /><br />However, a deeper study can reveal further insights. &nbsp;Through this account we can learn about God’s attitude toward worship, the nature of sin, and more.<br /><br />Let us turn our attention to the account of Cain and Abel once again to see what wisdom we can attain from it.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Not All Worship is Acceptable to God</u></h3><br />Notice that Cain becomes angry with Abel when he realizes that God respects Abel’s offering, but not his own.<br /><br /><b>Genesis 4:3-5</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.</span></i><br /><br />Apparently there was something wrong with Cain’s offering. &nbsp;Was it the offering itself or was it the attitude of Cain? &nbsp;Throughout the Old Testament we read that God commanded blood sacrifice from various livestock. &nbsp;Abel supplied such an offering from his flock while Cain, a “worker of the ground”, offered some manner of fruit or vegetable. &nbsp;Cain was disappointed to find that what he deemed an acceptable offering to God was not actually acceptable in the eyes of God.<br /><br />If we’re not careful, we can make the same mistake today… &nbsp;God’s Word gives us clear instructions for the manner in which we ought to worship. &nbsp;If we deviate from God’s pattern, God is not pleased. &nbsp;It was true in the Old Testament, it remains true in the New Testament.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 15:9</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;">The commandments of God are what matter, not the commandments of men. &nbsp;We must understand that regardless of what mankind may reckon to be acceptable to God, if it is outside of God’s pattern He will not be pleased. &nbsp;Our worship can be in vain if we are not following God’s pattern.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Faith of Abel</u></b></h3><br />What was it that made Abel’s offering so pleasing to God?<br /><br /><b>Hebrews 11:4 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.</span></i><br /><br />The Hebrew writer tells us that Abel’s faith was an integral component in God recognizing his offering as pleasing. &nbsp;It was Abel’s faith that guided him into righteousness in God’s sight. &nbsp;We can follow in Abel’s footsteps today. &nbsp;How?<br /><br /><b>Romans 10:17</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.</span></i><br /><br />Faith in God’s Word provides us with all the instruction we need in how we ought to worship and live righteously. <br /><br />Faith is essential for pleasing God.<br /><br />Hebrews 11:6 &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.</span></i><br /><br />Faith is essential for salvation.<br /><br /><b>John 8:24</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.</span></i><br /><br />If we desire to please God and attain His salvation, faith like Abel’s is vital!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>You Cannot Worship with the Wrong Attitude</u></h3><br />We have already discussed the possibility that Cain’s offering was not pleasing to God because it went against His instructions for proper sacrifice. &nbsp;But further study reveals that this was just part of Cain’s problems…<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 John 3:12</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">…Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.</span></i><br /><br />Here Cain’s works are called evil. &nbsp;Even before Cain murdered His brother, we see that his heart was not in the right place. &nbsp;God speaks to Him and warns him of future sin.<br /><br /><b>Genesis 4:7</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.</span></i><br /><br />Our method of worship is important, but the attitude that accompanies that worship is just as important!<br /><b><br /></b><b>John 4:24 </b>&nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.</i></span><br /><br />It’s not enough to worship God “in truth”, adhering to God’s pattern of worship detailed in Scripture, but we must also worship God “in spirit”; We must have the proper attitude. &nbsp;Cain did not exemplify the proper attitude when it came to worship.<br /><br /><b>Mark 11:25-26</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.</span></i><br /><br />Cain was jealous of his brother and angry with him while seeking to worship God. &nbsp;Are we guilty of the same? &nbsp;Are we coming to worship God with sin in our heart?<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Sin is Avoidable</u></h3><br />It is important to realize that the story of Cain and Abel did not have to play out the way that it did. &nbsp;Cain could have avoided sin altogether. &nbsp;In fact, we read that God actually encouraged Cain to do the right thing and reminded him that he had the power to overcome temptation.<br /><br /><b>Genesis 4:7</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.</span></i><br /><br />Cain, had free will, just as we all do today. &nbsp;It is only when we succumb to temptation that we engage in sin.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 26:41</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.</span></i><br /><br />To avoid sin we must seek the strength of God. &nbsp;Only in doing so can we overcome the weakness of the flesh.<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 10:13 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.</span></i><br /><br />God offers to help us avoid temptation and sin, but we have to be actively involved with a willing spirit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Progression of Sin</u></b></h3><br />The account of Cain and Abel clearly illustrates the progressive nature of sin. &nbsp;At first, Cain was merely jealous of Abel. &nbsp;He was angry that Abel’s offering was pleasing to God while his own offering was not. &nbsp;This anger escalated to the point that Cain lashed out at his brother in a murderous rage.<br /><br />Jesus tells us that all sin – murder included – begins in the heart.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 5:21-22</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.</span></i><br /><br />The argument of the proverbial “slippery slope” is a very unpopular one, but that is the way sin works!<br /><br /><b>James 1:13-16 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. &nbsp;Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.</span></i><br /><br />The unfortunate, ultimate conclusion of sin is spiritual death, eternal separation from God. &nbsp;It all begins when we allow sin to have even the slightest foothold in our heart. &nbsp;We must strive to avoid temptation at all cost!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u><b>You Can’t Hide Sin from God</b></u></h3><br />Sometimes we read of God asking questions to which He already knows the answers. <br /><br />This is a phenomenon that I understood somewhat as a teacher, but now have a much better understanding of as a parent; &nbsp;When one of my students or my child does something wrong, one of the first things I do is ask them what they did, not because I don’t know, but because I want them to understand the seriousness of the misdeed they chose to engage in.<br /><br />In the same manner God confronts Cain with his own sinful deed, helping him understand the gravity of the situation…<br /><br /><b>Genesis 4:10 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.</span></i><br /><br />Whether it’s Adam and Eve (<b>Genesis 3:9</b>), Cain, King David (<b>2 Samuel 12:1-15</b>), Ananias and Sapphira (<b>Acts 5:1-11</b>), or us today… &nbsp;God knows when we commit sin. &nbsp;We cannot hide any wrongdoing from His sight.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Numbers 32:33</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.</span></i><br /><br />We know that we will be judged according to our works.<br /><br /><b>Ecclesiastes 12:14 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.</span></i><br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>We<i> Are</i> Our Brother’s Keeper</u></b></div></b></h3><br />In the course of being confronted by God - standing condemned of the horrible sin of killing his brother - Cain actually has the nerve to ask Him, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”<br /><br />God doesn’t bother to answer Cain’s evasive inquiry, but a Christian knows that the answer to that question is “Yes!”<br /><br /><b>James 2:15-17 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.</span></i><br /><br />We cannot ignore the needs of those around us. &nbsp;Christians are obligated to care for others!<br />While this is certainly true in the physical sense, it is also true in the spiritual sense. &nbsp;The spiritual well-being of others must also be our concern!<br /><br /><b>Galatians 6:1 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.</span></i><br /><br />As Christians, we are to love all. &nbsp;This particularly applies to those within the church, but we are charged with looking out for the well-being of all we come into contact with. &nbsp;We must love our neighbor!<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 John 4:20-21 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.</span></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>God Still Loved Cain</u></b></h3><br />Of course, the story of Cain does not end with the murder of his brother. &nbsp;After God confronts Cain with his sin, Cain is given his sentence. &nbsp;We read that Cain is cursed to be an exile for the rest of his days, wandering the Earth as a fugitive. &nbsp;Subsequently, Cain becomes fearful and worries that he will be killed.<br /><br />There seems to be no evidence that Cain was ever remorseful for his sin nor that he ever repented. &nbsp;His name actually became synonymous with rebellion (<b>Jude 1:11</b>).<br /><br />However, in spite of all this, we see that God still cared for Cain.<br /><br /><b>Genesis 4:15</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.</span></i><br /><br />In the same way, Christ cares for us today. <br /><b><br /></b><b>Romans 5:8 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>We have all been guilty of sin. &nbsp;For such rebellion we deserve death. &nbsp;We certainly do not deserve forgiveness. &nbsp;But Christ loves us so much that He was willing to die for us anyway and make forgiveness – the remission of sin – possible.<br /><br />What are we willing to give in return for this indescribable, unrepayable gift?<br /><br />Let’s strive to be better than Cain and take a cue from the faithful offering of Abel.<br /><br /><b>Psalm 51:16-19 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;For <u>You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. &nbsp;The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— &nbsp;These, O God, You will not despise</u>. &nbsp;Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; &nbsp;Build the walls of Jerusalem. &nbsp;<u>Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness</u>, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; &nbsp;Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Based on a lesson by John Baxter</div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-58119895081813963972017-01-06T11:30:00.001-05:002017-01-06T12:13:11.314-05:00Christian Giving <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4j6kK2iAKe8/WGa_9Bcn_zI/AAAAAAAAF2A/OqSK9O6bNysNW0DHcCnR3OX2OV1kLMXKgCLcB/s1600/giving-hands-with-coins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4j6kK2iAKe8/WGa_9Bcn_zI/AAAAAAAAF2A/OqSK9O6bNysNW0DHcCnR3OX2OV1kLMXKgCLcB/s400/giving-hands-with-coins.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />There is much confusion in the world today concerning giving in the Church. &nbsp;Many realize that we are commanded to give contribution, but there are often questions about when, how much, and what for. <br /><br />Before we answer such questions, it is first important realize that everything we have comes from God. <br /><br /><b>James 1:17</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.</span></i><br /><br />We use a lot of time discussing how best to use the Lord’s money within the context of the church, but I wonder if we properly appreciate the fact that really <i>all</i> money is the Lord’s money?<br /><br />My friend and brother in Christ David Baxter once said the following on this very topic: &nbsp;"<i>We use the Lord’s money to pay our cable bill. We buy cat litter and coffee and cigarettes... and sometimes we give a little bit to the church.</i>"<br /><br />Very sobering words! <br /><br />Taking this all into consideration – recognizing that every physical blessing we have was given to us by God, including money – I hope that we develop an attitude of thanksgiving. &nbsp;With this acknowledgement of and gratitude for God’s benevolence, Christians should have little issue with seeking to emulate God’s example!<br /><br />Let’s examine a few elementary principles when it comes to giving by answering some of the most general of questions:<br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>How Much Should We Give?</u></div></u></h3><br />During the Old Testament, the children of Israel were subject to strict guidelines of giving in the form of the tithe. &nbsp;Giving in the tithe meant that you were expected to give 10%. &nbsp;That 10% applied not just to money, but everything they received, including crops, livestock, and other various goods. &nbsp;This tithe went to the Levite priesthood (<b>Deuteronomy 10:8-9</b>), the upkeep of the tabernacle and later the temple (<b>Exodus 30:11-16</b>), and the poor of their own Israelite nation (<b>Deuteronomy 24:19-22</b>). &nbsp;In the New Testament, Christians are also commanded to give, but there is no set amount on how much to give. &nbsp;However, there are still guidelines for our giving!<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 16:2</b> &nbsp; <i><span style="color: orange;">…Let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper…</span></i><br /><br />In the King James Version this same verse reads: <i><span style="color: orange;">… Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him…</span></i><br /><br />This verse indicates that, even though there is no set amount that we are expected to give, we should take into account that we should give “as we prosper” or &nbsp;“as God has prospered” us. &nbsp;In other words the amount we give may fluctuate from time to time... &nbsp;there is no set amount established. &nbsp;Suppose that one loses his job and takes on a new job that pays less. &nbsp;God does not expect such a one to give the same amount he did before since he now has less. &nbsp;On the opposite end, when we prosper more, our giving should likewise increase! &nbsp;Therefore, if one receives some kind of raise or prospers by some other means, the amount he gives should reflect that.<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 9:5</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.</span></i><br /><br />Even though this verse was directed at the Corinthian Christians that they may have their contribution ready before Paul’s arrival, I think that it is also a guideline for us. &nbsp;This implies that there is a degree of preparation involved in the act of giving. &nbsp;We shouldn’t be scrambling to find something, anything to give when the collection plate comes around.<br /><br />I think we also must have already decided just how much we are going to give before we give, so that our giving is done out of genuine generosity and doesn’t become an act of mere obligation. <br /><b><br /></b><b>2 Corinthians 9:6</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.</span></i><br /><br />We are told that, in giving, we will reap what we sow!<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 9:7</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.</span></i><br /><br />We are told to give as we purpose in our heart. &nbsp;This means that we get decide the amount that we want to give.<br /><br />We are told to not give grudgingly. &nbsp;This means that we are to give freely. &nbsp;So while there is no set amount that we are expected to contribute, we still are commended to be liberal in our giving.<br />We are told to not give out of necessity. &nbsp;This wording refutes the idea that we are to give a set amount such as the Old Testaments tithing system. &nbsp;If we were required by church leadership, or the Old Testament to give a certain amount, that would be in violation of this part of the verse. &nbsp;Under the New Testament law, there is no set amount that we commanded to give. &nbsp;The amount that we decide to give is between us and God!<br /><br />But, remember: God loves a <i>cheerful</i> giver. &nbsp;We are once again reminded that, despite the fact that we have no set amount that we are required to give, we still must be liberal in our giving!<br /><br />Recall that Christ praised the widow who made the great sacrifice in giving two mites!<br /><br /><b>Mark 12:41-44&nbsp;</b><span style="color: orange; font-style: italic;">Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. &nbsp;So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”</span><br /><br />Jesus was less impressed with those that gave much when they had much to spare. &nbsp;While the widow didn't have as much to give in total monetary value, she gave everything she had! &nbsp;We see that it is the intent of the heart - not necessarily the amount - that God is concerned with!<br /><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>When Should We Give?</u></h3><br /><b>1 Corinthians 16:1-2</b> states: &nbsp;“<i><span style="color: orange;">Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: &nbsp;On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.</span></i>”<br /><br />Likely, it is no coincidence that this is also the day that we are commanded to partake of the Lord’s Supper.<br /><br />It is clearly stated in this section of verses that we are to give upon the first day of the week. &nbsp;Sunday, of course, is the first day of the week! <br /><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>What is the Contribution For?</u></h3><br />Why do we give in the first place, what does this contribution go to?<br /><br />We must realize that the moment we decide to put our money in the collection plate that it has already become God’s money. &nbsp;We have no say in how we think this money ought to be used. &nbsp;What we do with this money is subject to the guidance and restrictions of God’s Word. &nbsp;God’s money is subject to God’s rules and is to be used for:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><u><b>Continuation of God’s Work</b></u></li></ul><br />Through our weekly giving to the church, we are contributing to the continuation of God’s work. &nbsp;We ensure that there is a place to meet, supplies for teaching, and income/reimbursement for preachers.<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 9:10-15</b><i><span style="color: orange;"> Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. &nbsp;For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. &nbsp;Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Through giving to preachers of God’s Word, we are “supplying seed to the sowers”!<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 9:7-14 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Whoever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? &nbsp;Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? &nbsp;For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? &nbsp;Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. &nbsp;If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? &nbsp;If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? &nbsp;Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. &nbsp;Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? &nbsp;Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><ul><li><b>“<u>True Widows</u>”</b></li></ul><br /><b>1 Timothy 5:16</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.</span></i><br /><br />This entire section of 1 Timothy is dedicated to restrictions on giving to widows. &nbsp;In this sense, the widows are female members of the church who have not only went through the tragedy of losing their spouse, but also the loss of a possibly vital source of income for their households! &nbsp; "True widows" appear to be women who will not be remarrying and are in dire financial straits. &nbsp;It is evident from this section of verses that the church has a responsibility to supply for these “true widows” in their need!<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><u><b>Needy Saints</b></u></li></ul><br />Contribution also plays a role in providing for the needs of Christians that have fallen on hard times. <br /><br /><b>Acts 2:44-45 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.</span></i><br /><b><br /></b><b>Acts 11:27-29</b> <span style="color: orange;"><i>And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. &nbsp;Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. &nbsp;Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.</i></span><br /><b><br /></b><b>Romans 15:24-26</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">… whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. &nbsp;But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. &nbsp;For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;">Notice that in the previous verses that the contribution of these Christians was given to fellow Christians.</span></i><br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>General Benevolence: Giving Beyond the Collection Plate</u></div></u></h3><br />In addition to giving to support the Church’s work through the collection, Christians additionally ought to be involved in giving out in the world.<br /><br />However, we must recognize that there is a difference between our obligation as a whole and our duty as individuals. &nbsp;As we established in the previous examples, our first-day contribution may be for needy saints, but there is no evidence that the first century churches were involved in general benevolence as a group. &nbsp;Within the church, the pattern seems to be Christians giving to Christians. &nbsp;We do not read of churches acting as charitable organizations that collected and distributed funds to those not in the church.<br /><br />It seems callous and cruel to say that the church’s mission is not to supply for the non-believing poor, but according to Biblical example it isn’t the church’s responsibility to care for those in need outside of the church. <br /><br />We do, however, read of an obligation <i>individual </i>Christians have to be involved in these types of works! &nbsp;According to Biblical example, it is <i>individual</i> Christians who are commanded to give to the less fortunate outside of the Lord’s body!<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 Timothy 6:18</b><i><span style="color: orange;"> Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share…</span></i><br /><b><br /></b><b>2 Corinthians 9:8-9 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. &nbsp;As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” </span></i><br /><br />Once again, we see that God desires that we be "cheerful givers" and that He is pleased when we give freely, just as He has!<br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Giving Discreetly</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></u></h3>The worldly pattern celebrates charitable giving in a variety of ways. &nbsp;This is contrary to the Biblical pattern however…<br /><br />We we give we must keep in mind that our charitable works are to be done in a discreet manner and not for show.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 6:1-4 &nbsp;</b><span style="color: orange;"><i>Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. &nbsp;Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. &nbsp;But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.</i></span><br /><br />As with all things pertaining to God’s righteousness, it appears that God is less concerned with the deed itself as He is with the intent of the heart behind the action, which leads us to our final point…<br /><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u><b>The Role of Grace in Giving</b></u></h3><br />It’s very easy to get caught up in the basic commandment of giving recorded in 1 Corinthians. &nbsp;In fact, most of us probably offer that scripture as an explanation of why we should give and simply leave it at that. &nbsp;But I hope that through this lesson we have considered that there is more going on than just simply giving because we are commanded to.<br /><br />Consider Paul’s follow-up teaching in 2 Corinthians in which he discusses the “grace of giving”:<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 8:1-4 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>We read that churches of Macedonia were commended for their liberality in giving not just according to their ability, but even beyond that! &nbsp;Paul continues by telling us why this was the case:<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 8:7-8</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others...</span></i><br /><br />Notice that the relationship between grace and giving is highlighted by Paul. &nbsp;He even goes as far as to say “I speak not by commandment” because grace can’t be commanded; Grace is offered <i>freely</i> by the giver! &nbsp;As Paul points out it is through such grace that the sincerity of our love is exemplified.<br /><br />Paul essentially says here that God desires us to have a grace toward others approaching what He has for us. &nbsp;When we see needs around us we ought to respond with the same grace that God has demonstrated. <br /><br />Notice how Paul brings this point home in the following verse by reminding us of Christ’s example:<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 8:9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.</span></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Conclusion: &nbsp;Remember to WHOM You are Giving!</u></h3><br />At the beginning of the lesson we discussed the fact that we need to remember from Whom all our blessings from. <br /><br />Just as importantly, we need to remember to Whom we are supposed to be giving! <br /><br />The next time that we set out to give, whether it be within the assembly, or through our own individual benevolence, let us remember the words of Jesus:<br /><br /><b>Matthew 25:34-40 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: &nbsp;for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; &nbsp;I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ &nbsp;“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? &nbsp;When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? &nbsp;Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ &nbsp;And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’</span></i><br /><br />Essentially: When we give, we give to Christ Himself! <br /><br />Since that’s the case, let us examine ourselves... &nbsp;Are we giving as we should?<br /><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-35087521225191777012016-12-31T23:28:00.001-05:002016-12-31T23:31:33.405-05:00Looking Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vP3RFOPpnbE/WGiGF1_1GyI/AAAAAAAAGAs/nKmIfedYZCc2q7ESzNOq5aUcvdShQDMpACLcB/s1600/b89c1d38786295.56069aed0bb0c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vP3RFOPpnbE/WGiGF1_1GyI/AAAAAAAAGAs/nKmIfedYZCc2q7ESzNOq5aUcvdShQDMpACLcB/s640/b89c1d38786295.56069aed0bb0c.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“I do not advise that we end the year on a somber note. The march, not the dirge, has ever been the music of Christianity. If we are good students in the school of life, there is much that the years have to teach us. But the Christian is more than a student, more than a philosopher. He is a believer, and the object of his faith makes the difference, the mighty difference. Of all persons the Christian should be best prepared for whatever the New Year brings. He has dealt with life at its source. In Christ he has disposed of a thousand enemies that other men must face alone and unprepared. He can face his tomorrow cheerful and unafraid because yesterday he turned his feet into the ways of peace and today he lives in God. The man who has made God his dwelling place will always have a safe habitation.”&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">— A.W. Tozer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-78289996816604208212016-12-31T16:13:00.002-05:002016-12-31T16:13:38.548-05:002017 Bible Reading Schedule<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3D7fXYRmlqo/WGgex_f4e2I/AAAAAAAAF-A/SpZxezKn03Mp9uRli4WCwqzssPU_kGfRACK4B/s1600/000015_Lightstock-16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3D7fXYRmlqo/WGgex_f4e2I/AAAAAAAAF-A/SpZxezKn03Mp9uRli4WCwqzssPU_kGfRACK4B/s400/000015_Lightstock-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />For anyone wanting to read the Bible in its entirety in 2017, here is a 5 days-a-week Bible reading schedule released by Biblclassmaterial.com.<br /><br /><a href="http://bibleclassmaterial.com/Catalog/Mark%20Roberts/BibleReadingSchedule.htm">2017 Bible Reading Schedule</a><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_599723471"></span><span id="goog_599723472"></span><br />Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-22449820433278967692016-12-29T16:36:00.001-05:002016-12-29T16:36:52.813-05:00The Significance of Baptism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCEy1uRLQ3o/WGWAmO_r-lI/AAAAAAAAFv4/3KmnnJixI4YZYLabjFfIcemDSx3bwdA_QCLcB/s1600/baptism%2Bsignificance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCEy1uRLQ3o/WGWAmO_r-lI/AAAAAAAAFv4/3KmnnJixI4YZYLabjFfIcemDSx3bwdA_QCLcB/s640/baptism%2Bsignificance.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">“Why Do You Preach So Much On Baptism?”</div><br />An all-too common complaint we regularly hear made against the church concerns the preaching of baptism. &nbsp;The world and various denominations argue that the Church of Christ puts too much emphasis on baptism. &nbsp;They might even go as far as to accuse us of elevating the act of baptism above God’s grace.<br /><br />So why do we stress baptism so much?<br /><br />The short answer: &nbsp;The world doesn’t preach it enough… &nbsp;If at all!<br /><br />Baptism is listed some 116 times in the New Testament. &nbsp;In nearly every example of conversion and salvation, baptism is mentioned. &nbsp;With that much Scriptural support, how could any believer overlook the significance of baptism?<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>The Symbolism of Baptism</u></h3><br />Let’s begin by examining the symbolic significance of baptism…<br /><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><br /></u></b><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Baptism and the Flood</u></b><br /><br />Peter likened baptism to the waters of the Flood.<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 Peter 3:21</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">...Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…</span></i><br /><br />Notice that baptism is more than just a mere physical bathing. &nbsp;It is through the resurrection of Christ, the power of God Himself that this simple physical act is imbued with its soul-saving power. &nbsp;Baptism is not a work of man, but of God!<br /><u><b><br /></b></u><u><b><br /></b></u><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Baptism and Circumcision</u></b><br /><br />Paul called baptism a sort of spiritual circumcision.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Colossians 2:11-12</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.</span></i><br /><br />There is a notable difference between the physical circumcision of the Old Testament and the spiritual circumcision of baptism in the New Testament. &nbsp;While in the Old Testament circumcision was done shortly after birth, there is no evidence of baptizing infant in the New Testament. &nbsp;Belief in the Word of God is meant to precede baptism according to New Testament examples.<br /><br /><br /><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Baptism and the Gospel</u></b><br /><br />Consider this: &nbsp;During the act of baptism we are reenacting the Gospel story. &nbsp;The Bible tells us as much!<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 15:3-4</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…</span></i><br /><br />Compare the synopsis of the Gospel story recorded in 1 Corinthians to what is said of baptism in Romans…<br /><b><br /></b><b>Romans 6:3-7 </b><span style="color: orange;"><i>Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.</i></span><br /><br />As we can see, the act of baptism is a reenactment of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection: &nbsp;In baptism we “die” to sin, are “buried” in the water of salvation (the blood of Christ), and a “resurrected” free from sin!<br /><br />This idea of baptism being a reenactment of a burial accounts for only one method of baptism (<b>Ephesians 4:5</b>)… &nbsp;Baptism by immersion which is exemplified at various points in the New Testament (<b>Mark1:10</b> – Jesus “<i><span style="color: orange;">came up out of the water</span></i>”, <b>Acts 8:38</b> – Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch “<i><span style="color: orange;">both went down into the water</span></i>”). &nbsp;This excludes other methods such as sprinkling.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Baptism is Endorsed by Jesus</u></h3><br />Baptism is also significant because it was endorsed by Jesus Himself in three ways:<br /><br /><br /><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Jesus’ Example</u></b><br /><br />One of Jesus’ first recorded acts of His earthly ministry was being baptized. &nbsp;At first, John didn’t feel that He had the right to baptize the Son of God, but Jesus pointed out that it was necessary.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 3:13-17</b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>While Jesus, being sinless, did not technically need baptism, He pointed out that it was fitting for the fulfillment of righteousness. &nbsp;This account affirms that baptism is the means by which God makes men righteous. &nbsp; Jesus was baptized to set an example for us! &nbsp;Additionally, we see that God was so delighted with His Son’s obedient example that He commended Jesus by audibly speaking.<br /><br />Sometimes I feel like this miraculous event is almost treated as a side note, but isn’t it interesting that of the two times God directly spoke in the Gospels that one of these instances was to approve of Jesus’ baptism?<br /><br /><br /><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Jesus’ Sacrifice</u></b><br /><br />Our entire faith hinges upon Christ’s death upon the cross. &nbsp;Baptism is connected to that major event as well!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><b><br /></b></span><b>Matthew 26:28</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.</span></i><br /><br />Notice that the language used here to describe the intended effect of Christ’s blood is identical to the purpose of baptism that Peter detailed on the Day of Pentecost (<b>Acts 2:38</b>)!<br /><br />Additionally, Jesus’ self-sacrifice also references the Old Testament account of the Passover which involved the blood of lambs as a signal to spare the Israelites in the land of Egypt (<b>Exodus 12:13 -&nbsp;</b>"<i><span style="color: orange;">When I see the blood, I will pass over you</span></i>").<br /><br /><b>1 Peter 1:18-19 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">…Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.</span></i><br /><br />John pointed out a blatant parallel between baptism and Christ’s sacrifice in his description of Jesus.<br /><br /><b>1 John 5:6-8</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. </span></i><br /><br /><br /><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Jesus’ Command</u></b><br /><br />Jesus, the Son of God Himself, commands that believers be baptized.<br /><br /><b>Mark 16:16</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.</span></i><br /><br />As Jesus points out here, baptism and salvation are inexorably linked. <br /><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Why Reject Baptism?</u></b></h3><br />In spite of all this evidence we have discussed so far concerning baptism, many still reject baptism as God’s means of salvation for one reason or another.<br /><br />Consider the account of Naaman recounted in 2 Kings 5:1-14.<br /><br />If you recall, Naaman was a commander of the Syrian army who was afflicted with leprosy. &nbsp;The abridged version of the story goes like this: <br /><br />The prophet Elisha was sent to heal Naaman of his leprosy. &nbsp;Elisha gave Naaman some simple instructions. &nbsp;He told him to “<span style="color: orange;"><i>Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.</i></span>” &nbsp;(<b>2 Kings 5:10</b>)<br /><br />However, Naaman rejected these directions… &nbsp;He even “became furious”! &nbsp;He didn’t agree with the method by which he was to be healed. &nbsp;He questioned Elisha’s instructions: &nbsp;Why couldn’t Elisha just call on the name of the Lord and wave his hand over me? &nbsp;Aren’t other rivers besides the Jordan just as good if not better to be cleansed in? <br /><br />One of Naaman’s wise servants came and tried to reason with him, saying “<i><span style="color: orange;">…If the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?</span></i>” &nbsp;(<b>2 Kings 5:13</b>)<br /><br />Naaman finally did as Elisha said and, sure enough, he found that “<span style="color: orange;"><i>his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.</i></span>” (<b>2 Kings 5:14</b>).<br /><br />While this account does not directly refer to baptism, it does make an important point about God’s instructions: &nbsp;If God offers us a means of salvation… who are we to question or reject His terms?<br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Conclusion: &nbsp;What is Your Condition <i>With</i>&nbsp;and <i>Without</i>&nbsp;Baptism</u>?</b></div></b></h3><br />I read the following in a tract during a Bible study years ago and always thought it brilliantly summed up just how vital baptism is...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>IF WHEN BAPTIZED YOU:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Put on Christ</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: center;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Galatians 3:27</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.</span></i></span></div><span style="text-align: center;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></span></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b><u><b>Wash Away Sins</b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><br /></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Acts 22:16 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Have Remission of Sins</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Acts 2:38</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Are Made Free from Sin</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Romans 6:17-18</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Benefit by Jesus’ Death</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Romans 6:3-4 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Enter the Body of Christ</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1 Corinthians 12:13</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>...THEN WHAT IS YOUR CONDITION <u>WITHOUT</u>&nbsp;BAPTISM?</i></div><br /><br />To recap and hopefully drive these final points home: &nbsp;If through baptism one puts on Christ, washes away their sin, have remission of their sins, benefits by Jesus' death, and enters the Body of Christ - if Scripture tells us that baptism does all these things - then surely our condition without baptism is the opposite of these!<br /><br />We cannot disregard the significance of baptism!Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-67801974318799459192016-12-27T19:32:00.001-05:002016-12-27T19:36:10.739-05:00“Baptism is a Work, and We are Not Saved by Works!”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPGXsllz7pA/WGMI6lGPhqI/AAAAAAAAFqU/L6lXOuJz3YYzNBuYPKpbWHZUBBVEU1rDACLcB/s1600/Baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPGXsllz7pA/WGMI6lGPhqI/AAAAAAAAFqU/L6lXOuJz3YYzNBuYPKpbWHZUBBVEU1rDACLcB/s640/Baptism.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There is a great deal of confusion concerning baptism’s role in salvation.<br /><br />Some argue that baptism cannot be a vital component in salvation because being baptized is a work. &nbsp;They may cite the second chapter of Ephesians as evidence for this view.<br /><br /><b>Ephesians 2:8-9</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.</span></i><br /><br />Certainly baptism is something that is done and – in that sense at least – it could be considered a “work”.<br /><br />However, there are some important questions to answer in approaching this matter: &nbsp;Is baptism a work of merit, by which one earns salvation? &nbsp;Or is baptism a work of faith, by which one receives salvation?<br /><br />When we consider the work involved in baptism, it has to be asked: &nbsp;Who is the one truly “at work”? &nbsp;Is it the man or woman who submits to being immersed? &nbsp;Or is it God who forgives and regenerates through the blood of Jesus and the working of the Holy Spirit?<br /><br />As we address this misconception and look into the Word of God for the answers to these questions, I think that we will find that there is in fact no contradiction between the idea that we are saved by faith and not by works and that – at the same time – we are saved by baptism.<br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Works of Merit versus Works of Faith</u><br /><u><br /></u></div></u></h3>We must understand that there are different kinds of works.<br /><br />First, there are works of merit. <br /><br />These works are done to “earn” something. &nbsp;Those that have done such works believe that they deserve something in return for what they have done.<br /><br />Some people think that merely being a good person is a sufficient work to earn salvation. &nbsp;Others believe that how well they keep the Ten Commandments or benevolent works or even their church attendance somehow grants them the right to salvation. &nbsp;However, as we previously read in Ephesians, this is a mistake!<br /><br />There is no way that we can earn salvation! &nbsp;All of the good that we might do cannot outweigh even one sin.<br /><br /><b>James 2:10 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.</span></i><br /><br />Those that make this argument against baptism make the mistake of lumping baptism in with works of merit.<br /><br />However, we must recognize that there are also works of faith.<br /><br />While these works are done to receive something, those who do such works believe that they deserve nothing in return.<br /><br />Works of faith are done by believers with the understanding that their obedience does not earn or merit salvation. &nbsp;Additionally, believers understand that their salvation rests upon the mercy of God and His grace.<br /><br />These works could be called “works of God”. &nbsp;Take belief for example, which Jesus Himself calls a “work”.<br /><br /><b>John 6:28-29</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” &nbsp;Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”</span></i><br /><br />Other works of faith commanded by God include repentance (<b>Acts 17:30</b>) and confession (<b>Romans 10:9-10</b>).<br /><br />Even though belief, repentance, and confession are commanded works we recognize that, like baptism, these are not meritorious works and we do not earn salvation through them. &nbsp;Instead, these are works that God Himself has ordained that we do to receive His salvation… <br /><br />Therefore baptism is not a contradiction; When all is said and done, salvation is still through God’s grace and mercy!<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Baptism is a Work of Faith, Not Merit</u></h3><br />Another scripture that is often misused to discredit baptism is found in Mark.<br /><br /><b>Mark 16:16 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.</span></i><br /><br />Some would argue that since baptism is not mentioned in the second part of this verse that belief is what is truly important. &nbsp;However, this verse actually further confirms the point that baptism is work of faith and is necessary for salvation!<br /><br />No one would argue with the logic of a similarly worded statement such as: &nbsp;“He who eats and digests will live, but he who does not eat will die.” &nbsp;The two acts are jointly necessary for survival.<br /><br />&nbsp;Thus, it is obvious that Jesus’ words clearly indicate that belief and baptism go hand in hand.<br /><br />After all, if one does not believe, why would they bother going through baptism - or any other act of faith? <br /><br />We understand that belief is prerequisite of baptism. &nbsp;Faith in God and His Word come first. &nbsp;We are compelled by that belief to be baptized!<br /><br /><b>Acts 8:36-37</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Continuing on we see that baptism is an act of faith by which one receives (not earns)…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>The Forgiveness of Sins and the Gift of the Holy Spirit</u></b>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Acts 2:38 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”</span></i></div><br /><b><u>A Union with Christ</u></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Galatians 3:27</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.</span></i><br /><br />Baptism not being a work of merit is further emphasized in Titus.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Titus 3:4-5 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…</span></i><br /><br />Notice that the allusion that Paul makes to baptism in this verse: “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” &nbsp;Notice also that Paul points out again that we are not saved by “works of righteousness” (works of merit), but it is God who saves us through this “washing”.<br />Clearly, baptism is not some work of righteousness done to earn salvation!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Who Does the Work in Baptism?</u></h3><br />I suppose if we approach baptism from a purely physical standpoint, then the one performing the immersion is doing the “work”. &nbsp;However, as we have already established, baptism is more than just a physical action.<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 Peter 3:21</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…</span></i><br /><br />No, baptism is a spiritual work of faith, but the question remains: &nbsp;Who actually does the work in baptism?<br /><br /><b>Colossians 2:12</b> &nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>…Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.</i></span><br /><br />It is God who is at work in baptism. &nbsp;Ultimately, it is God who does the work, not man!<br /><br /><b>Colossians 2:13 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses…</span></i><br /><br />As we just read, man is dead in his sins, but God makes him alive by forgiving him of his sins. &nbsp;Thus, it is God who saves us, not we ourselves. &nbsp;Baptism just happens to be the chosen mode through which God decided salvation would be offered to us.<br /><br /><br /><h3><div style="text-align: center;"><u></u><br /><div style="display: inline !important;"><u><u>Baptism: &nbsp;The Most Passive Act of Faith?</u></u></div><u></u></div></h3><br />Many people reject baptism because they see it as something you do. &nbsp;But if we truly think about it in the context of the Word of God, baptism is actually the most <u>passive</u> of the acts of faith.<br /><br />Consider that belief, repentance and confession are all active acts of faith on our part. &nbsp;These are all things that we do.<br /><br />However, we baptism is different. &nbsp;Baptism is something that is <u>done to us</u>. &nbsp;This makes baptism a passive, submissive act of faith in which we submit to the work of God in our lives. <br /><br />If we were to object to baptism because it requires one to do something, then – by the same logic – we would have to object to belief, repentance, and confession!<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Baptism According to Martin Luther</u></h3><br />It was Martin Luther that coined the phrase, “<i>salvation by faith only.</i>” &nbsp;However, in spite of this doctrine he helped give birth to, it’s ironic to know that even Luther understood the role of baptism. <br /><br />When presented with the question, “What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?” &nbsp;Luther responded, “<i>It affects the forgiveness of sins</i>.” <br /><br />In regards to baptism’s impact on a sinner, Luther wrote, “<i>To put it most simply: &nbsp;The power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of baptism is to save</i>.”<br /><br />Finally, in response to those who would call his view a salvation by works, Martin Luther wrote, “<i>Yes it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. &nbsp;Baptism, however, is not our work, but God’s</i>.”<br /><br />Obviously, we should be more concerned with God’s Word than what any man says, but it’s interesting to see that the originator of this misconception had a firm understanding of baptism’s role in salvation.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Conclusion</u></h3><div><u><br /></u></div>As we have seen established throughout this lesson: &nbsp;Baptism is a Work of God, and We are Saved by Faith in the Working of God!<br /><br />Have you submitted to the working of God in baptism?<br /><br /><b>Acts 22:16</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’.</span></i><br /><div><br /></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-49479495806288914522016-12-27T10:45:00.002-05:002016-12-27T10:53:08.139-05:00Serving in Sincerity: Giving God Your Whole Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzoOoJHBElc/V_at-oX3MiI/AAAAAAAAEVM/whB_Den6OXQx8Rs3cmWVyI1tv5YDoPpngCLcB/s1600/Sincerity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzoOoJHBElc/V_at-oX3MiI/AAAAAAAAEVM/whB_Den6OXQx8Rs3cmWVyI1tv5YDoPpngCLcB/s1600/Sincerity.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">“<i>The smile means nothing without sincerity</i>.”&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">– Joshua Hamlet</div><br />When you know someone well enough, it’s not difficult to tell when they are forcing a smile in a given situation. <br /><br />There are actually studies on this that focus on how to tell how genuine a smile actually is based on facial muscles. &nbsp;Apparently a “true” smile involves the flexing of muscles near the eyes and the mouth while a fake smile flexes just one muscle in the mouth region. &nbsp;The “Pan Am smile” is a term commonly given to faked or forced smiles usually used in customer service, named for the put-on smile employed by flight attendants when dealing with passengers.<br /><br />Whether it’s a fake smile or an inauthentic tone of voice, people can’t stand it when others aren’t genuine. &nbsp;We don’t like half-heartedness or insincerity<br /><br />It should come as little surprise – seeing that we’re made in His image – to know that God doesn’t appreciate insincerity either, especially among His followers! <br /><br />God desires sincerity and wholeheartedness in our service to Him. <br /><br />God doesn’t want us to serve sincerity, but rather He wants us to serve in sincerity! &nbsp;God desires our whole heart!<br /><b><br /></b><b>Joshua 24:14</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!</span></i><br /><br /><b>Psalm 9:1</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>The Chinese philosopher Confucius is credited with the saying:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;“Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I think that there is a great deal of truth to that statement. &nbsp;Any good that we seek to do must be done with a sincere heart – otherwise, can we actually call it good?<br /><h3><u><br /></u></h3><h3><u><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Remember: God Knows Us</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></u></h3>We need to always remember that God knows us through and through. &nbsp;God knows the true intentions of our heart. &nbsp;While we may fool others into thinking that we are sincere in our service, God knows us better than anyone and can easily see through any facade that we might hide behind. <br /><br /><b>Psalm 44:21 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.</span></i><br /><br />We may think that we can hide something from God, but we only deceive ourselves. &nbsp;Recall the account of Aninias and Sapphira, for example:<br /><b><br /></b><b>Acts 5:1-4</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? <u>Why have you conceived this thing in your heart</u>? <u>You have not lied to men but to God</u>.”</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>The Danger of Hypocrisy</u></h3><div><u><br /></u></div>Hypocrisy is pretending to be what one isn’t. <br /><br />When we go to worship the Lord, is it for real or is it just and hypocritical act that we engage in to impress others with how spiritual we are?<br /><br />Jeremiah 3:10 <i><span style="color: orange;">“…And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord.</span></i><br /><br />We know that the Scribes and Pharisees were regularly rebuked by Jesus for putting on false righteousness. &nbsp;Jesus rightly called them hypocrites for their insincere service.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Matthew 23:27-28 &nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.</span></i><br /><b><br /></b><b>Luke 16:15</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God..."</span></i><br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The Importance of Sincerity</u></b></h3><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div>We must understand that it is not enough to please God by merely “going through the motions”. &nbsp;We must be sincere in our service, obeying from the heart.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Romans 6:17</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.</span></i><br /><br /><b>Ephesians 6:6 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;...Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart…</span></i><br /><b><br /></b><b>Colossians 3:22</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>We know that when we give we make an offering that we do so from the heart.<br /><br /><b>2 Corinthians 9:7</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">&nbsp;So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>Likewise, worshiping without sincerity of the heart is worthless, to truly worship we must do so “in spirit and in truth."<br /><b><br /></b><b>John 4:24 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.</span></i><br /><br />We talk a lot about that verse, stressing the importance of the truth aspect. <br /><br />Indeed, our doctrine is certainly important, but this verse can also apply to the true nature of our attitude toward worship!<br /><br />Additionally, it is not enough to merely say that we love our neighbor, our love must be sincere!<br /><br /><b>Romans 12:9</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.</span></i><br /><br /><b>1 Timothy 1:5</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith…</span></i><br /><br />I worry sometimes that we allow being a Christian to become a sort of routine aspect of our lives rather than the primary focus of our life. &nbsp;We go to church on Sundays because that’s what we’ve always done. &nbsp;Perhaps abstaining from certain things (drunkenness, profanity) is easy for us because it’s merely against our nature to begin with, not necessarily because God’s commandments one way or the other. &nbsp;So how can we tell if we are actually sincere toward God?<br /><br /><b>John 14:15</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">If you love Me, keep My commandments.</span></i><br /><br />Do we say that we love God, yet not obey Him? &nbsp;Do we ignore the commandments that we don’t like or are difficult for us to follow? &nbsp;Do we say that we love God, but not spend much time in prayer? &nbsp;Is it a chore for us to study our Bibles or attend worship services?<br /><br />We know when someone truly loves us in the flesh because their actions reflect their words. &nbsp;It’s no different with God. &nbsp;If our actions are not congruent with what ought to be the conduct of a Christian, then perhaps we aren’t as sincere in our devotion as we would like to think.<br /><b><br /></b><b>1 John 3:18 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.</span></i><br /><br />The old saying “actions speak louder than words” rings true. &nbsp;Time and time again, we are reminded that mere words are not enough. &nbsp;Our love and devotion to God, to our neighbors should be evident based on our actions.<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Do You Already Have Your Reward?</u></h3><div><u><br /></u></div>The attitude of the heart is what we need to actively monitor. &nbsp; Before doing anything, we should be mindful of our motivations. &nbsp;As with all things, self-control and discipline are key. <br /><br />We must always remember that a Christian’s motivation should be seeking to glorify God alone, not himself.<br /><br />Recall the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee…<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNxoWk1w80w/WGKMUZ2uIQI/AAAAAAAAFkg/UOLHfi-Y3YYYWZ8QFlBhE63G__pT_BHFwCLcB/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="547" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNxoWk1w80w/WGKMUZ2uIQI/AAAAAAAAFkg/UOLHfi-Y3YYYWZ8QFlBhE63G__pT_BHFwCLcB/s640/Picture1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Luke 18:9-10</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector..."</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i>First, notice how Jesus details the prayer of the Pharisee...<br /><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i><b>Luke 18:11-12</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’</span></i><br /><br />Elsewhere, Jesus described the deeds of other Pharisees…<br /><br /><b>Matthew 6:1-2, 5</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. &nbsp;Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward; &nbsp;And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.</span></i><br /><br />Jesus points out the folly of those that do charitable deeds and publicly pray for selfish reasons. &nbsp;Calling them hypocrites, He goes on to say that “they have their reward.”<br /><br />Friends, if we already have our reward through the adoration of others, then that’s a serious problem!<br /><br />Now take a moment to notice the difference between the Pharisee and the Tax Collector…<br /><br />Luke 18:13-14 &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.</span></i><br /><br />The tax collector was far more sincere in his dedication to God and – as Jesus points out – his service was pleasing to God! &nbsp;Let us strive to be like the Tax Collector, not the Pharisee. &nbsp;Let us have a wholehearted, sincere dedication in our service to God!<br /><br />Unlike the Pharisee, we should be striving toward the ultimate reward, a home in heaven! <br /><b><br /></b><b>Proverbs 11:18</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.</span></i><br /><div><br /></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053949450230553980.post-9618842816408954982016-12-24T23:02:00.001-05:002016-12-24T23:31:30.139-05:00An Empty Manger: What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCtTkeF-DF0/VJ8-FAOKGgI/AAAAAAAADEI/kG6GlD2J_z4/s1600/IMG_4011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCtTkeF-DF0/VJ8-FAOKGgI/AAAAAAAADEI/kG6GlD2J_z4/s640/IMG_4011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some convoluted background before we begin this particular lesson: &nbsp;As a Science Fiction buff and avid comic book reader, I've long been fascinated by the idea of alternate realities. <br /><br />Marvel Comics had an ongoing series entitled "What If...?" in which one tweak was made in the superhero continuity. &nbsp;The interesting part was seeing how interconnected everything turned out to be and how just a single, seemingly insignificant change had enormous consequences. <br /><br />Perhaps more famously - especially this time of year - you might be familiar with Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life". &nbsp;This classic film follows its main character, George Bailey, as a distraught man on the verge of suicide who wishes that he had never been born. &nbsp;An angel appears and grants George a view of what his family, friends, and community would be like without his presence, how his absence would send shockwaves through the lives of others that he touched. &nbsp;This heartwarming tale serves as a powerful reminder of the immeasurable value of even a single human life. <br /><br />Consider the life of Jesus Christ for example...<br /><br />While it is very likely that December 25 is not the actual birth-date of Jesus, at this time of year it is difficult not to think about Christ's birth with so many celebrating Christmas.<br /><br />During this holiday season we can't help but be reminded of this significant event throughout the month as we see countless displays depicting the Nativity. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>But what if on that fateful night some 2,000 years ago the manger remained empty? &nbsp;</div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><i><u><br /></u></i></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><i><u>What if... &nbsp;Jesus had never been born</u>?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">In the process of writing this lesson, I began by wondering about what the world would be like if Jesus had never been born. &nbsp;After all, a lot of people seem to think that we would be better off if religion didn’t exist, especially Christianity, the religion that Jesus is responsible for. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So that’s the inspiration and premise for this lesson. &nbsp;Join me as we explore the possibilities and ramifications - both secular and spiritual - that would be found in this hypothetical world in which Jesus was never born.</div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Secular Ramifications of a Christ-less World</u></b></h3></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Dr. James Allan Francis once wrote the following poem about the life of Jesus:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>One Solitary Life &nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He was born in an obscure village</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The child of a peasant woman.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He grew up in another obscure village</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where he worked in a carpenter shop&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Until he was thrity, when public opinion turned against him.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He never wrote a book.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He never held an office.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He never went to college.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He never visited a big city.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He never traveled more than two hundred miles,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>From the place he was born.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He did none of the things,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Usually associates with greatness.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He had no credentials but himself.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He was only thirty three.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His friends ran away.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One of them denied him.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He was turned over to his enemies,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And went through the mockery of a trial.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing,&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The only property he had on Earth.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When he was dead,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He was laid in a borrowed grave,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Through the pity of a friend.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Nineteen centuries have come and gone,&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race,&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And the leader of mankind's progress.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All the armies that ever marched,&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All the navies that ever sailed,&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All the parliaments that ever sat,&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All the kings that ever reigned, put &nbsp;together,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Have not affected the life of mankind on Earth&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>As powerfully as that one solitary life.</i></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>Outside the realm of religion and philosophy, countless advancements in society can be accredited to the spread of Christianity and its various forms. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the most obvious areas of impact is in the way we count years. &nbsp;The modern calendar that we use is a testament to the legacy and impact that Jesus had on the world. &nbsp;The abbreviations BC and AD divide time into two parts: BC is the period of time “Before Christ” and the term AD is from the Latin phrase “Anno Domini” which is translated “The year of our Lord”. &nbsp;Believers and non-believers alike use this calendar world-wide even to this day!</div><div><br /></div><div>In a world in which Jesus was never born, illiteracy would be a major problem worldwide, since in many centuries past, Christian missionaries encouraged and often educated converts to read in order to have a better understanding of Scripture. &nbsp;In the United States (Which, by the way, is a country that was founded on Christian principles) early Americans learned to read using the Bible. &nbsp;It is ironic to know that of the first 123 colleges in colonial America all but one was founded as a Christian institution.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>Without Jesus, our culture would be drastically different, especially in the realm of the Arts. &nbsp;Da Vinci and other Renaissance artists would never have created some of their greatest and most-widely recognized works (The Renaissance movement itself would likely never have taken place without the influence of Christianity!). Likewise, some of the most beautiful (and at the time, most advanced) architecture in the world would not exist since many advancements in architecture were made in the creation of cathedrals and other places of Christian worship. &nbsp; In the area of music, Bach, who is credited with changing the direction of Western music, would likely not have been inspired to create his renowned musical compositions (Bach is said to have dedicated every note he wrote to God’s glory). <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Author Cynthia Pearl Maus wrote: &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>More poems have been written, more stories told, more pictures painted, and more songs sung about Christ than any other person in human history, because through such avenues as these, the deepest appreciation of the human heart can be more adequately expressed.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, innumerable scientific principles and medical advancements would not exist in a world in which Jesus was never born. &nbsp;Nearly all of the founders of modern science were Christians. &nbsp;Many historians attribute the creation of the hospital itself to Christianity because in the United States, the first hospitals were started by believers.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is an article I read last year on the Christian Post's website:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Jesus Reigns Even on Wikipedia</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Who's the most significant person in human history? Professor Steven Skiena (of Stony Brook University in New York) and Charles Ward sought to answer that question by sifting through more than 1,000 historical figures and prominent people while applying quantitative analysis to the popular online information source Wikipedia. The researchers analyzed the impact historical figures had on other people's opinions throughout the eons, and the ranking formula was very similar to the way Google ranks webpages in its search engine. At the top of the researchers' list: Jesus. He is followed (in descending order) by Napoleon, William Shakespeare, Muhammad, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Adolf Hitler, Aristotle, Alexander the Great and Thomas Jefferson."&nbsp;</i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>[christianpost.com, 12/10/13; dailymail.co.uk, 12/14/13 stats]</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Jaroslav Pelikan wrote the following in his 1985 book, "Jesus, Through the Centuries":</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about Him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominate figure in the history of Western Culture for almost twenty centuries. &nbsp;If it were possible, with some sort of super-magnet, to pull up out of that history every scrap of metal bearing at least a trace of His name, how much would be left? &nbsp;It is from His birth that most of the human race dates its calendars, it is by His Name that millions curse and in His Name that millions pray."</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It is impossible to know all of the areas in which Christianity has had an impact on the world as it is today. &nbsp;What we've discussed thus far is probably just scratching the surface.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">------------------------------------------------</div><br /></div><div>But what would it mean to us as Christians if Jesus had never been born? &nbsp;What would be the spiritual ramifications?</div><div><br /></div><div>In a world without Jesus, there would be...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>No Church</u></b></h3></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Obviously, without Jesus, there would be no Christianity, which means no Christians and no Church. &nbsp;The Church was established based on the teachings of Jesus and Jesus even died so that the Church could be created</div><div><br /></div><div>The Church was purchased by Christ’s blood.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Acts 20:28</b> &nbsp; <i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>No Moral Compass</u></b></h3></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Without the religion of Christianity, many would be without a moral compass to guide them in life. &nbsp;I think that it’s safe to say that Jesus’ teachings are the moral compass of modern civilization! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Think of one of the first rules you likely learned in grade school. &nbsp;Without Jesus, the “Golden Rule” - ‘Do unto others as you would have them to unto you’ would not exist. &nbsp;It’s ironic that this is a saying which many, even the most staunch unbelievers, use but fail to give the credit to Jesus for having said it! &nbsp;In fact, a variation of this very teaching was recently written as part of an <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/19/living/atheist-10-commandments/">"Athiest's Ten Commandments"</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Matthew 7:12 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.&nbsp;</span></i></div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div>Jesus taught that we should love our neighbors as ourselves.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Matthew 22:37-40 </b>&nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. &nbsp;And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The idea of putting others first is foreign to mankind. &nbsp;This is a concept that could only have come from a loving and divine entity such as Jesus!</div><div><br /></div><div>As bad as our society is today, just imagine how much worse it would be if we removed the teachings of Jesus! &nbsp;Sadly, many are trying to do just that! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>No Perfect Example</u></b></h3></div><div><br /></div><div>Why would anyone want to follow a hypocritical God who said one thing, but did another? &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Indeed, we can see that throughout His time on Earth that Jesus “talked the talk and walked the walk!” &nbsp;He practiced what He preached! &nbsp;Jesus came to Earth for many reasons, but certainly among them was the purpose of setting an example of righteousness for us to follow.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>John 13:15</b>&nbsp;&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Romans 13:14</b> &nbsp;<span style="color: orange;"><i>But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1 Peter 2:21</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps...</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>No Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies</u></b></h3></div><div><br /></div><div>If Jesus had never been born, there would be numerous Old Testament prophecies that would not have been fulfilled. &nbsp;This would not only have left the Bible incomplete, but also would make God out to be a liar! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Throughout the Old Testament prophecies were made about Jesus’ coming. &nbsp;Among the many prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus fulfilled one of the earliest promises made to mankind. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>God promised to Abraham in <b>Genesis 12:3 </b>that through his seed all the nations of the world would be blessed. &nbsp;Jesus was and still is the fulfillment of that prophetic promise.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Galatians 3:26-29 </b><span style="color: orange;"><i>For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. &nbsp;For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. &nbsp;There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. &nbsp;And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Everything that Christ did while He was on Earth was to fulfill scripture. &nbsp;We know from our studies that a common phrase written throughout the Gospels is “that the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mark 14:49</b> &nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. <u>But the Scriptures must be fulfilled</u>.</span></i></div><div>&nbsp;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>No Fulfillment of Old Testament Law</u></b></h3></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Additionally, if Jesus had never been born, there would be no way we could be saved from our sins because we would still be under the Law of Moses.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would this be a problem? &nbsp;The Bile tells us that righteousness and salvation could come not through the law, but through the grace of God.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Galatians 2:21</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Only those of the Hebrew nations were considered God’s people under the Law of Moses. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Under the Law of Moses, Gentiles (anyone who wasn’t Jewish) were not considered one of God’s chosen people.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, Jesus put an end to the Law of Moses when he fulfilled it with His death on the cross.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Romans 7:6 </b>&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ephesians 2:11-17</b> <i><span style="color: orange;">Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands - that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. &nbsp;But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. &nbsp;And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.</span></i></div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><h3><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>No Way to Heaven</u></b></div></span></h3></div><div><br /></div><div>If Jesus had not been born, we would not have a Savior. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus’ primary objective in coming to earth and living as a man was to do away with sin. &nbsp;Jesus came to seek and save the lost. &nbsp;He came to save us! &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mark 2:17 </b><span style="color: orange;"><i>When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Our sin separates us from God and condemns us. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Isaiah 59:1-2</b>&nbsp;&nbsp;<i><span style="color: orange;">Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The wages of sin, which is what we really deserve, is death. &nbsp;But Jesus the gift Jesus offers to us through His sacrifice is life.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Romans 6:23 </b><i><span style="color: orange;">For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>John the Baptist accurately described Jesus in <b>John 1:29</b>&nbsp;as “<i><span style="color: orange;">the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!</span></i>”&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Therefore, without Jesus, there would be no way to Heaven. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>John 14: 1-6</b> &nbsp;<span style="color: orange;">“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. &nbsp;And where I go you know, and the way you know.” &nbsp;Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” &nbsp;Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3><b><u>Conclusion: &nbsp;An Empty Manger and an Empty Tomb</u></b></h3></div><div><br />As great as the Christmas season is for reminding us of Christ's birth, does it cause us to lose focus on the purpose of His birth? <br /><br />In celebrating what happened that night in Bethelehem, do we forget what happened that day on Calvary?</div><div><br />Throughout this lesson we discussed the empty manger as a horrible alternative… <br /><br />But we must always remember and be thankful that the <u>empty tomb</u> is a blessed reality!<br /><br /><b>I Corinthians 15:17-22&nbsp;</b><i><span style="color: orange;">And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! &nbsp;Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. &nbsp;For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. &nbsp;For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.</span></i><br /><br />If Christ had not been born, had not lived, died and - most importantly - He would not been resurrected, and - as Paul points out - our faith would be useless. &nbsp;We would still be lost in sin!<br /><br />To make a long story short, in a world without Jesus, the future would look very bleak.<br /><br />If Jesus had never been born there would be <u>no hope</u>.<br /><br />But as these verses point out, Christ <u>was</u> born. &nbsp;He <u>did</u> live and die. &nbsp;But most importantly, <u>He arose</u>, thereby justifying our faith and giving us the hope of a home in Heaven!<br /><br />However, consider this: &nbsp;If you are here today and you are not a Christian - to <u>you</u>, Christ might as well have not been born. <br /><br />If you are living a life without Jesus, then what is your condition? <br /><br />We’ve spent a long while discussing what a world without Jesus would look like, but what does a life without Jesus look like? &nbsp;Does it look like your life? <br /><br />Are you among the hopeless? &nbsp;Are you among the lost? &nbsp;Are you sick of a life of sin? &nbsp;Are you seeking a relationship with your Creator and Redeemer?<br /><br />If so, you have a choice: &nbsp;Will you continue to live your life without Jesus? &nbsp;Or are you willing to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? <br /><br /></div></div>Jonathan Brinsonhttps://plus.google.com/117719870614971898286noreply@blogger.com0